A MILL HILL mum-of-three who successfully beat breast cancer will take to the waves in a world-famous sailing challenge to help raise funds for charity.

Marcia Mercier, 44, from Uphill Road, will be part of the crew aboard the Breast Cancer Care charity boat in the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, on Saturday, June 19.

Mrs Mercier has been involved with charities supporting women with breast cancer for more than ten years, after being diagnosed herself with the disease when she was just 32.

Since beating cancer, Mrs Mercier has dedicated herself to working as a peer support volunteer for Breast Cancer Care, to help other women diagnosed with the illness.

She said: “I was only 32 when I was diagnosed and I had two very young sons. I was fortunate I had a friend who had been through the same thing and the emotional support and advice I received from her was truly a lifeline.

"I realised how important it was to have another young woman to speak to who could relate to what I was going through, someone who could offer me support and inspiration at times when I needed it most.

"That spurred me to contact Breast Cancer Care’s helpline once again, only this time not to seek their help but to find out how I could get involved with the charity and help other women like me.”

Despite having grown up in Bournemouth and living for many years on the coast, Marcia admits she is "not a sailor at all", but saw the challenge as a novel way of raising money for charity.

She added: "There’s nothing like facing one’s fears, it will be a huge, huge learning curve and I’m quite petrified, but also over the moon that I got a place on the boat.

"I’m absolutely up for it and I’m sure any nerves will be overcome by my competitive spirit!"

Mrs Mercier is one of five people who will crew the boat, alongside a skipper and first mate.

In preparation for the race, she also had the chance to meet triple Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie at a training day last month, who offered tips and advice to the sea-faring fundraisers.

Mrs Mercier said: "He was really low-key, approachable, and he spent a lot of time with us. It was a real privilege having him train us."

If you would like to sponsor Mrs Mercier visit http://original.justgiving.com/mmercier