WHEN Michelin worker Steve Hall's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer two months after giving birth to their first child, their world fell apart.

The couple's lives were left in limbo as Joanne endured chemotherapy treatment and anxious waits for scan results.

Joanne, who was a teacher at Hassell Primary School, in Newcastle, lost her fight for life aged 33, last September.

Now, despite being left to look after their two-year-old son Robert on his own, Mr Hall is helping families facing the same heart-breaking situations as himself.

The 34-year-old organised a 10-mile bicycle ride around Longport's Westport Lake on Saturday to raise money for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice where his wife spent her last days.

More than 40 people took part in the event which Mr Hall estimates will raise about £4,000.

Mr Hall, of Windmill Avenue, Kidsgrove, who was with Joanne for 10 years, said: "The people at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice were fantastic. They were so supportive of me and Joanne in her last days. I wanted to give something back and in her memory.

"When Joanne first found the lump, the doctors thought it was a blocked milk duct because she had only given birth to Robert two months before.

"When she was finally diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2008, it was devastating. We went from the extreme joy of having our first child to our worst nightmare in such a short space of time.

"Then in May 2008, I was made redundant from my factory job at the Michelin. They rung not long after and offered me a job in customer service.

"Work have been brilliant. They have really supported me throughout Joanne's illness."

The couple were told Joanne was unable to have a mastectomy because the cancer had already spread to her lungs and liver. Blood tests after her death showed she carried a defective gene which made her more susceptible to breast cancer.

Joanne went through two courses of chemotherapy.

Mr Hall said: "The second course of chemotherapy really affected her. She was being sick all the time and was shattered.

"She still managed to look after our little boy. I think it was him that kept her going.

"Now he is doing OK but he still asks for his mum and it is difficult to know what to tell a two-year-old.

"It angers me that if they had diagnosed Joanne's breast cancer earlier instead of doctors thinking it was a blocked milk duct, she might be still here.

"That's why I think the Government should change the rules and start screening women at a younger age."

Mr Hall also praised the local Herceptin campaigner Dot Griffiths for her support. He said: "There were days when Joanne used to get really down. Dot used to speak to her and perk her up."