A CANCER survivor has praised her colleagues for peddling up funds for the charity which helped save her life.
When Lynne Bowser received the shocking news that she had cancer of the womb, she vowed to beat the disease.
It was this same "can-do" attitude that saw her return to work as a shelf stacker at Grimsby's Tesco Extra just six weeks after major surgery to remove the cancer and a full hysterectomy – and this was despite undergoing a gruelling course of vital chemotherapy.
So when her colleagues at the store – who helped her through the diagnosis and treatment – decided to pedal the 3,000-mile distance to Lapland on an exercise bike for the supermarket's chosen charity, Cancer Research UK, she was behind them all the way – and even had a go herself.
Lynne, 64, of Haycroft Street, Grimsby, said: "They have all done really well and have raised a lot of money for Cancer Research UK, which is fantastic.
"Everyone really helped me through it. They all understood if anything happened and I couldn't come in and were really helpful if I needed anything.
"I think they expected me to have more time off, but being at work helped me.
"At home I was more likely to get down about things and I found myself thinking and wishing I was at work.
"I was very lucky throughout my treatment. I felt fine most of the time, but I know it can be awful for some people."
A grand total of £1,000 was raised at the Grimsby store alone, but with all Tesco stores nationwide invited to take part, the final sum will be much higher.
Lynne was diagnosed with the disease last year after she visited the doctors complaining of "period pain" and bleeding.
Following numerous tests, cancer was confirmed, but thankfully it was in the early stages.
"It was scary, but I don't remember feeling bothered by it," said Lynne.
"Sometimes I would get upset, but that was because I didn't want people worrying or feeling sorry for me.
"My advice to anyone is at the first sign of abnormal bleeding they should go to their doctors – no matter what their age.
"If I had been 40 I could have mistaken it, but being my age meant I was lucky in a way. I knew it was strange."
Lynne has been given the all-clear and is now planning for retirement, although she will find it difficult to stay away from Tesco.
She has previously held a variety of jobs, from factory manager to bus driver, barmaid to shop manager.
She took part in Cleethorpes' Race For Life just two weeks after finishing her chemotherapy and has plans to raise further cash for Cancer Research UK by climbing to the base camp of Mount Everest.
She added: "I am one of these people who can turn their hand to anything and believe there is no such thing as can't. Believing this helped me to beat cancer."
