Barrow woman Kelly Carson, who works at West Suffolk College, encourages others to get involved in Tea and Chat Suffolk sessions for cancer sufferers

An ‘inspirational’ mum has set up a cancer support group in Suffolk after being diagnosed as a sufferer herself following the birth of her fifth child.

Kelly Carson, 34, from Barrow, near Bury St Edmunds, found out she had stage four cancer last year, just two weeks after giving birth to Hunter.

After struggling with the diagnosis and ‘going to the darkest place ever’ she managed to find out about an organisation called Make 2nds Count.

This benevolent organisation supports UK-based men and women who are living with secondary breast cancer.

One of the ways in which the charity helps others is by funding regular tea and chat sessions that offer people the chance to come together to support each other.

Kelly reached out to staff at the charity and has subsequently set up tea and chat events in Suffolk.

The first one took place at the end of March and future events occur every fourth Monday of the month at The Loft in Risby.

As the group expands, Kelly is also looking at creating a fundraiser for Make 2nds Count.

Kelly, who works as an inclusive learning co-ordinator at West Suffolk College, said: “When I found out the news [about her cancer] I thought I was going to die straight away.

“One of the first things you are told is not to Google anything as there are lots of negative facts out there.

“But I did it anyway and although it was true – there was lots of negativity – amidst all of this, I managed to find out about Make 2nds Count on Facebook.

“It had stories of people who had lived over 30 years so it gave me so much hope. I reached out to the charity, spoke to Macmillan - and the local hospital - and set up a group in Suffolk.

“In terms of my health, I’ve had my ovaries removed, a double mastectomy but I feel quite lucky. I have to have some medication and lots of injections and scans - but I don’t get many side effects.

“At the moment I’m doing really well. And I know if I do have a wobble, I have a tribe of people around me thanks to the charity and this group. I don’t feel alone and I’m hopeful that I am going to be here in 30 years or more.

“My message to others is to reach out and find your tribe and come and get involved in the tea and chat sessions. The most important thing is that people need to know that they are not on their own.”

For details of future Tea and Chat Suffolk events see here.

Louise Vyse, a colleague of Kelly’s and wellbeing lead at West Suffolk College, said: “Kelly is simply inspirational.”