WHEN Jess Gallaway lost her younger brother Rhys to a brain tumour nine years ago, her world fell apart.

But every year the family do something special in memory of Rhys and pay tribute to the bubbly, carefree boy who lost his life to cancer at such a young age.

Jess, 20, is fighting back against cancer by signing up for Race for Life Pretty Muddy which takes place for the first time at Westpoint Centre in Exeter on Saturday, July 25.

Jess, from Tiverton, was devastated when Rhys died from a brain tumour at the age of nine back in August 2006.

Now Jess is showing her fighting spirit by encouraging local ladies in Devon to become part of the collective force ready to take on cancer by entering Pretty Muddy in Exeter.

Pretty Muddy is a women-only, non-competitive 5k obstacle course – with added mud.

Mum-of-one, Jess said: “Taking part in Race for Life Pretty Muddy is my way of fighting back against cancer for taking my brother.

Jess added: “I can’t wait to take on the Pretty Muddy challenge.

"It’ll be an emotional day as I’ll be thinking of Rhys the whole way round the course.

“Nine years ago was when my childhood fell apart, I’d lost my brother who was also my best friend to this horrible disease.

“It all started on a lovely day - we were all outside playing with our friends, throwing water balloons and bike riding.

"My brother collapsed off his bike, he began twitching and dribbling.

"I panicked I thought it was my fault, I was in pieces and sat at the bottom of the stairs as my family surrounded him.

“I was only 10 at the time. It was all a blur not knowing.

"My biggest memory was my dad telling me my brother had a brain tumour, using books it told me what would happen - treatments, hospitals, operations and feelings.

“I just wanted my brother back, not a brother on a lunch box of tablets and injections.

"He came home and went back again, attended a few hours at school - he always tried to be himself.

“The day eventually came when my brave brother had sadly lost his fight, I didn't want to believe it, the most saddest day of my life and I never want to experience that again."

Jess added: “I’m determined to make a difference and that’s why I’m urging women in Devon to take part in Race for Life, raise money and help beat cancer sooner.”