A GYM boss has taken part in a 3,000 mile relay to raise awareness of mental health after her own battle following a cancer diagnosis.

Lauren Retford, who is manager of Pure Gym based at Stretford Mall, was just 29 when a routine smear test led to a diagnosis of stage two cervical cancer.

She received the devastating news that she had stage two cervical cancer on the day she was due to open the doors of the gym for the very first time in April 2015 — and admits she hit ‘rock bottom’.

But four years on, the 33-year-old from Irlam, is currently cancer free and a mental health ambassador for Pure Gym in the North West of England and North Wales.

As part of her managerial role Lauren has met six-time Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Sir Chris Hoy in his capacity as Pure Gym ambassador.

Lauren said: “He plays a really active part in his role as ambassador and is passionate about health and fitness. He’s a really genuine guy.

Lauren, who has a seven-year-old daughter called Zara, is geared up to play her part cycling in Pure Gym’s week-long 24hr non-stop national relay from Aberdeen to Plymouth to raise £250,000 for Mental Health UK — an event which Hoy launched and took part in.

She and seven members of her team at Stretford received the baton from staff at the Altrincham branch on the evening of June 20 before cycling to the gym at Exchange Quay and then continuing on to the Spinningfields, Market Street and Urban Exchange clubs, wracking up nearly seven miles on the road.

Lauren said: “I’ve been regional mental health ambassador since February and it was a role that resonated with me because I feel so passionate about being able to #sharetheweight from your mind and be able to speak up about how you are feeling.

“I had a call from my local hospital informing me that I needed to attend an appointment the following day to discuss my smear test.

“It meant that I was to miss the grand opening of the club that I now directly manage. I was gutted.

“To my horror my consultant informed me that my results had come back from the laboratory and my body was presenting stage two cervical cancer.

“I walked away from my appointment a broken woman. I couldn’t think straight never mind drive home to brief my family on my terrible news. Naturally, I was thinking the worst. I was rock bottom.”

Lauren says the support and reassurance from both her family and colleagues helped in ‘building me back up again’.

She added: “The good news was that the cancer had not spread any further than the cervix itself. My routine smear test had saved my life.

“I underwent major surgery and had a large part of my cervix removed in the May of 2015. I am four years deep into 10 years of three-monthly examinations which are very unpleasant and during this time I have had a couple of further scares with the re-growth of cells, but thanks to the NHS I am being well looked after. But I’m alive and kicking.

“The anxiety is something that is ongoing and I still struggle comprehending that I am a cancer patient. Looking into my daughters eyes is a constant reminder that I have to switch my mental wellbeing into a positive and look to the future rather than reflect on my experiences.”

“I utilise the support around me daily and I am not afraid to share how I am feeling, I know somebody within my network will always have my back. It’s important to offload what you’re thinking.

“I had the desire to give a little back to the NHS and I was successfully recruited as a First Responder with North West Ambulance Service.

“It’s a role in which challenges my mental health to its limits as I am often on scene to life threatening critically ill patients or trauma calls. This truly balances my mind and helps me in overcoming my own mental barriers.

“My time with my family is also important to me. It’s a bit strange as I don’t get time to train when I’m working so we enjoy walks with the dog or going climbing with the kids at the weekend — my partner Brad has two boys of his own.

Stretford Mall Shopping Centre manager Gareth Wilkins said: “Lauren is a real inspiration to us all. Not only has she overcome cancer but she’s also spoken of her personal battle with mental health and by sharing that experience will help so many people.”