Michelle Le Floch is swapping Jersey for Paris this weekend Picture: POPPY LARBALESTIER (00930864)

A HOSPITAL secretary who recently fought breast cancer is running in the Paris Marathonon Sunday.

Michelle Le Floch from St Saviour is aiming to complete the gruelling challenge in around five hours in a bid to prove to herself and her family that she has recovered from the illness.

After being diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of the disease in 2008, 47-year-old Michelle underwent surgery followed by six months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which left her unable to walk up stairs by herself.

But now in remission, the mother-of-two is determined to show the world that there is life after cancer.

‘I took up running with a friend two years ago for fun and I had been planning to do the London Marathon,’ she said. ‘But three weeks later, while I was at my son’s graduation, I discovered a lump in my breast. I carried on running right up until the day before my surgery. But afterwards, while I was having treatment, I couldn’t even get down the stairs.’

But during her last stint of treatment in Southampton, Michelle was strong enough to start running again.

And this Sunday she will take to the streets of Paris with her son James Devon, his fiancée Emily Hutchings and her running partner David Warncken at her side.

‘I’m doing it for my family, to show them that I am better,’ said Michelle. ‘Looking back, I can’t believe I have gone through what I have and I am here.

‘I would say to other people who might be in a similar situation that you have to look forward because there is no point in looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life. ‘If I can do this, anyone can.’

Michelle is not running for a charity and will focus on getting through the run. However, she plans to do the London Marathon next year and hopes to support the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK, because her father suffers from diabetes.

James and Emily will be running for the British Heart Foundation.