A mum dying of cervical cancer is encouraging women to have smear tests done before it's too late.

Kelly Meek was first diagnosed with the disease in February last year, at the age of 31.

The NHS encourages women to be tested from 25 but the Chatham resident kept putting it off.

However, when she gave birth to the youngest of her four children, doctors encouraged her to undergo a test.

It proved positive and, although she was given the all clear in October, the cancer returned this January and she was told it was incurable.

She now wants other women to learn from her experience, saying: “It’s three minutes of indignity to save your life.”

Meanwhile, two of the former Medway Community College pupil’s friends have launched an awareness and fundraiser campaign called Don’t Fear the Smear.

Emma Lloyd and Gemma O’Hara have already raised almost £4,000 for Kelly Meek.

The money will not only go on creating memories for the mum-of-four and her family, it will also help pay for her funeral.

The campaign also aims to highlight the importance of women having smear tests and looking after themselves.

Kelly said: “I never had a test and by the time I did, it was too late for me.

“Don’t Fear the Smear is a great saying and since it started I have received messages from women as far as Canada, telling me they have now booked to have one.”

The 33-year-old, of Princes Park, Chatham, was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in February last year.

She said: “If 10 people go, or 10,000 people go and find out if they are OK, then I will be happy. It’s three minutes of indignity to save your life.”

After being given the all clear in October, the cancer returned in January and Kelly has been told it is incurable.

“To say I’m still shocked is an understatement, I have a beautiful husband and four beautiful kids that are my world,” she added.

“This has affected our lives and forever will. This money is going to be able to make memories I have only ever dreamed of for my kids and what great memories they will be.

“I want to be able to do the little things with my children, like ice skating, going to the cinema and we are hoping to go to Harry Potter World.”

Emma and Gemma run their own jewellery business, Endless Glamour, and have been selling specially-designed bracelets to add to the funds.

They are also organising a fundraising event next month at Lordswood Leisure Centre.

Emma’s, 18-year-old daughter Macey suffered from cancer of the lymphoid six years ago so the cause is very close to her heart.

"To say I'm still shocked is an understatement, I have a beautiful husband and four beautiful kids that are my world" - Kelly Meek

The 36-year-old said: “When I spoke to Kelly, I thought ‘I have to do something’. I knew I had to help her. We want to make as many memories as we can, for Kelly, her husband and their four children, we all want them to have happy memories with their mum.”

Speaking of the fundraising event, Kelly said: “It’s going to be an emotional day full of tears and laughter, but I am so excited to see everyone and stand with the girls that have made it all happen.”

• To donate to Kelly’s fund, visit www.justgiving.com and search for Don’t fear the smear.

The fun day will take place on Sunday, August 13, and has two parts.

The first is a football competition in the morning.

There will be two groups of four teams, with the top two from each group going through to a semi-final and then a final will be played.

The overall winner will be awarded the Kelly Meek Shield. Each player will be required to make a £10 donation to play.

The second part from 1pm, will include pop-up photo booths, a mechanical bull and bouncy castles.

There will also be cheerleaders, Irish dancers and celebrity guests performing, including Robbie Craig from East 17.

Gemma, 33, said: “We want local businesses to contribute, we are a two-man band at the moment and we need help.

“Already we have found people are so willing to help us, one company even printed all of our T-shirts for free.“

We did a Facebook live video and it was crazy, we have got 120,000 views.”

The duo originally set a target of £1,000 but having smashed that, they have decided to just see how much they will manage to raise.

• Kelly will be appearing live on KMTV this evening to talk about the campaign. Tune in from 5.30pm.