A DETERMINED mum-of-three who has coined in more than £100,000 for a cancer charity has been handed a special award to honour the remarkable achievement.

Caroline Stewart, from Howwood, was shortlisted in Cancer Research UK’s annual Flame of Hope Awards, which acknowledge efforts in fundraising and volunteering.

She won a special commendation in the Pioneer of the Year category for showing exceptional dedication to the cause.

Caroline has generated a six-figure sum for cancer research in just three years through fundraising balls and making calendars featuring cancer survivors.

Jennifer McLachlan, Cancer Research UK’s fundraising manager for Renfrewshire, awarded Caroline with her certificate during a special lunch held in her honour at the Bowfield Hotel, in Howwood.

Caroline, 42, said: “I wanted to raise money after my mum’s best friend was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, she died.

“I started out by doing the Race For Life in Glasgow, which I raised a fair bit from.

“Over the years, sponsorship money began to dwindle, so I used my photography skills to make a calendar of cancer survivors and those still struggling with the illness. Not one of those people felt sorry for themselves, they were all inspirational.

“I didn’t even know I had been nominated for this honour, so it was a lovely surprise.”

Jennifer added: “Every step we make towards beating cancer sooner relies on every pound, every hour and every person.

“These awards are our way of honouring incredible people like Caroline who give their time freely to raise money for research and promote greater awareness of the disease and yet ask for nothing in return.

“It’s thanks to the support of the fundraising public and our amazing army of volunteers that we can continue to make a real difference and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”

Over the last 40 years, cancer survival rates have doubled. Today, half of all people with the condition will survive it for at least 10 years.