WHEN Linzi Radwell was knocked off her feet whilst training for a cheerleading competition, little did she realise the accident would probably save her life.

As Linzi dusted herself off after a teammate fell on her while practicing a move with the Solent Ravens squad, she noticed a lump in her neck.

The former Southampton Solent University student had it checked out and tests results confirmed the devastating news that she had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Linzi was a third-year journalism student at Southampton Solent University when she was diagnosed in 2012.

She took the decision to try and continue with studying despite fortnightly chemotherapy sessions at Southampton Hospital.

“Mum would come to the hospital with me every other Monday and then go home and I’d stay in my shared house in Polygon and concentrate on studying and lectures.

“My hair fell out and I had really bad mouth ulcers but I tried to work as hard as I could.”

Fortunately following six months of chemotherapy, Linzi was told she had responded well to the treatment and the cancer had gone.

Linzi finished treatment in June 2013 and was able to catch up on the university work graduating with the rest of her class in November.

She said: “I think having a focus really helped me to get through it.

"It all feels like a bit of a blur now – like it didn’t really happen.

"But I do feel proud of what I’ve overcome and what I’ve achieved.”

Now Linzi is launching Basingstoke Race for Life Pretty Muddy and is calling on women of all shapes and sizes to sign up now for the 5km obstacle course which takes place on Saturday, June 18 from 11am at Down Grange Sports Complex in Pack Lane.

Linzi, who now lives in Oakridge, Basingstoke, with her boyfriend Simon, 27, said: “When I was told I had cancer, my whole world was turned upside down.

"But thanks to research, I’m now cancer free.

"I’m determined to help others by raising money so Cancer Research UK can help even more people survive.

"That’s why I’m urging the women of Basingstoke to take part in Race for Life and help beat cancer sooner.”

An army of women is needed to slip, slide and splash their way over, under and through a range of obstacles from scramble nets, tunnels and hurdles, to the final challenge of the giant inflatable slide – all to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.

Fiona Miller, Cancer Research UK’s London events manager, said: “We hope as many women as possible will rope-in their friends and family and help swell the ranks of Race for Life’s pink army.

“Pretty Muddy promises all the fun and camaraderie of our much loved 5km events – with lashings of mud, sweat and cheers.

“Race for Life events are not competitive. They are not about being fit or fast.

"Women can complete the Pretty Muddy course at their own pace, clambering, scrambling and laughing their way around.”