A GLASGOW student who gave hundreds of people the strength to cope with cancer is still inspiring people almost two years after her death.

Francesca Mancini, an Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year Editor’s Award winner, will be remembered at Sunday’s Off the Beatson Track event in aid of the cancer charity.

Her mum and dad, May and Osvaldo, and little sister Chiara, are leading a team of 200 friends and family members, including pupils and staff from Francesca’s old school, Bishopbriggs Academy.

May said: “We are so grateful to everyone for their support, especially the school, who are bringing along a huge team to support Francesca’s Lymphoma Warriors.

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“I still miss her, every single day. It’s lovely she is still helping people and I know she’ll be with us on Sunday, inspiring us to go on. Chiara is pressing the start button on the day, which is fantastic.”

Francesca, from Bishopbriggs, was a biomedical science student when she was first diagnosed with cancer.

A tumour the size of a grapefruit was removed from her chest and she went on to make a full recovery after receiving treatment for stage four Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2015. But in 2016 the cancer spread to her lungs and liver and she lost her fight for life just a few weeks before her 21st birthday.

In her memory, May, Osvaldo and Chiara have continued to fundraise tirelessly for the Beatson.

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Last year, they rallied the biggest team ever to take part in the Off the Beatson Track event in August, raising a whopping £35,000.

Francesca had bravely shared her story in many charity films and appeals and she had often spoken publicly on behalf of the charity to bring to the attention of everyone, especially young people, the need to keep fighting and not let cancer win.

May accepted a posthumous Editor’s Award on her daughter’s behalf at the Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year gala dinner in 2016.

The fifth year of Off the Beatson Track a 10k walk around the west end, is shaping up to be the biggest ever.

You can still register by calling 0141 212 0505 before Friday, or sign up on the day from 10am at the Riverside Museum.