A MOTHER who received the devastating news she had cancer when her youngest child was a baby is marking a new chapter in her life with a new business.

Vicki Bentley, from Richmond, has started up an events company, Reflection Events and is due to start running Cheeky Monkey sales in the Northallerton area, selling pre-loved baby and toddler clothes and equipment.

It is a new venture for the mother-of-two, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.

After undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, Vicki developed serious complications.

“It was touch and go at one point,” she said.

“I developed kidney and liver problems and at one point they had to drain 14 and a half litres of fluid from my stomach to keep me alive.

“I have two young children and it was devastating; I had only just finished maternity leave. There were some days when I felt absolutely shocking after chemotherapy but luckily I have a very supportive husband and my parents live nearby and also helped.”

Vicki, whose son is now two-and-a-half and her daughter five – now has one last operation to undergo at the end of the month, after which she will launch her first Cheeky Monkey event at the Forum in Northallerton.

“This is me putting two fingers up to cancer, by doing something completely new,” she said.

The event takes place at the Forum in Northallerton on Sunday, May 29, from 11am until 1pm. There will be children and baby’s clothing on sale, along with crafts and other items and entertainment for children.