An Ipswich cancer survivor is urging people to join her in giving cancer the boot this Boxing Day.

Ipswich Star: Nichola Whymark, from Ipswich, was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts last September. She is backing Cancer Research UK's Welly Walk on Boxing DayNichola Whymark, from Ipswich, was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts last September. She is backing Cancer Research UK's Welly Walk on Boxing Day (Image: Archant)

Nichola Whymark joined the Suffolk branch of Cancer Research UK as fundraising manager in April last year and just five months later was given the devastating news she had cancer in both breasts.

The 37-year-old opted to have a double mastectomy and began four months of chemotherapy two days before Christmas.

Now nearly recovered and back to work, Mrs Whymark is pushing Cancer Research UK’s new campaign that asks people to gather family and friends and head out for a walk on Boxing Day in a pair of dazzling festive wellies.

“Working for Cancer Research UK is my dream job,” she said.

“I always wanted to help fund research but now it’s like I have my own personal vendetta against cancer.”

Mrs Whymark will be pounding the streets in her specially decorated wellies throughout December to inspire others to join the campaign.

In the 1970s, less than a quarter of people with cancer survived but over the last 40 years, survival has doubled.

“Our ambition is to accelerate progress and see three-quarters of people surviving the disease within the next 20 years”, Mrs Whymark said.

To sign up for the campaign visit www.cruk.org/wellywalk. People are asked to donate £10 and will receive a start-up pack including welly stickers.