AN “inspirational” mum from Potters Bar – who twice beat cancer – has been honoured for her tireless charity and community work.

Mother-of-two Di Godin has been named Community Mum of the Year by Tesco Magazine.

The 45-year-old was recognised for her courage in the face of extraordinary diversity, having twice battled breast cancer, raised thousands for charity, and set up a social group for parents with children with disabilities.

She will now receive her award at a glamorous bash at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London on February 27.

Di, from Oakroyd Avenue, founded the Potters Bar Special Needs Group in response to a lack of support for parents raising disabled children, after her daughter Shayna was born with cerebral palsy in 1995.

“I realised there were other families in the same situation as myself with no support and nowhere to go with their children,” Di said.

“We started going out together as a group which was great – alone, you can feel like everyone is staring at you, but as a group, you feel much more supported and can enjoy yourself more.”

Even after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and undergoing a mastectomy Di remained positive, running the London Marathon the following year and raising �7,500 for her charity, now called Potters Bar Children’s Special Needs Group, and Potters Bar-based Act 4.

She also ran the 2009 Race For Life for Cancer Research, just four days after another operation to remove breast cancer for the second time.

Di said: “I have always told my children to look forward, not back, so I have to set a positive example. I’m nothing special - the real heroes are my kids.

“Nothing stops them, they make me feel humble.”

Carolyn Bradley, Tesco UK marketing director, said: “What Di has achieved for her local community is incredible.

“When you hear her story and realise how many setbacks she has had, you wonder how she can remain so positive.

“She is truly an inspiration and we are very proud to be awarding her Tesco Magazine’s Community Mum of The Year.”