HER mum will be on her mind every step of the way as determined Janet Ross takes part in a nighttime walk to raise money for life-saving cancer research.

Janet was heartbroken after her mum, Rose Rooney, died from bowel cancer on December 5, 2016.

The 73-year-old had decided to stop treatment and chose to die at home surrounded by her loved ones.

Now, vet surgery receptionist Janet has teamed up with her daughter, Natalie Ross, 26, to take part in Scotland’s only Cancer Research UK Shine Night Walk.

The 47-year-old said: “Mum will be on my mind every step of the way as we walk through Glasgow at Shine.

“I feel lucky to have had such an amazing mum.

"Sometimes it can be the daft things like laughing together as we watched a quiz show on television that I miss while at other times I wish I could just pop in to visit mum like I used to.

"She was such a well loved nanna as well. When my own children were growing up my mum was a brilliant help, stepping in to look after my kids overnight or giving them tea after school.

"She’d take my kids off on an adventure somewhere in the summer holidays.

"There are so many happy memories and the world is definitely a less colourful place without mum.

“Mum died surrounded by her family who loved her so much.

"Her funeral was absolutely packed out and it really hit home just how many people had cared for her, counting her as a friend.

"Cancer touches so many families and I’ll feel so proud to walk in mum’s name to help other families.”

It’s not the first time Janet has lost a loved one to cancer. She was 13 when her step dad, Jackie Rooney died from lung cancer in 1983.

His death made Janet’s mum Rose a widow aged just 39, leaving her to bring up her four children single handedly at first.

Rose also stepped up to take in her nephew George Murphy after his mum died.

It was tough juggling a busy family life with a job but Rose succeeded in overcoming the challenges, later meeting and falling in love with George Rae who became her partner for the next 20 years.

After George died from a heart attack in August 2004, Rose was determined to become independent, even learning to drive for the first time - passing her test aged 62 on her seventh attempt.

It was a shock when Rose was diagnosed with bowel cancer in June 2015.

Keen not to worry the rest of the family, Rose kept many details of her illness secret while chemotherapy treatment left her feeling sick and she lost weight.

Towards the end of 2016, Rose stopped treatment.

After stays at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, Rose chose to die at home with her children, Janet, Fiona Bell, Catrina McDonald and Derek Rooney and nephew George by her bedside.

She also left nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Janet said: “We have a big but close family so we took turns in shifts to look after mum so there was someone there 24/7.

“The Marie Curie nurses who helped nurse mum in her last few days were incredible too. I think it takes a really special person to do that job and we’re grateful to them.

"Mum died close to Christmas time and that first Christmas without her was difficult but we got through it as a family together.”

The Shine Night Walk on August 18 at 9pm starts at the SEC before a 10K route crosses over Bell’s Bridge, passing BBC Scotland and STV headquarters.

Participants will then pass back over the River Clyde and along the Broomielaw then up to George Square and past Glasgow Cathedral and landmarks including the Duke of Wellington statue outside the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow Cathedral and Strathclyde University.

The route will also pass Cancer Research UK flagship shop on Queen Street before heading back to the River Clyde and the finish line.

Susan Johnstone, Cancer Research UK’s national event manager in Scotland, said: “We’re so pleased to bring Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk to Glasgow again.

“We hope the whole community will unite behind this special, emotional event on August 18. The battle against cancer never stops.

"We need everyone to sign up and start fundraising towards research that will bring hope to people affected by the disease.

“Participants can choose to complete the course at their own speed, from a leisurely stroll to a lively stride or a full-on power walk.

"The atmosphere promises to be unique as Glasgow unites in the fight against the disease.

"It’s an opportunity for people to come together to remember loved ones lost to cancer or celebrate the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer.”

To enter Shine Night Walk see www.shinewalk.org