A “generous and giving” mother who died from breast cancer has inspired her son to warn people of the dangers of waiting too long to get checked out.

Patricia Hudson kept her symptoms secret for at least six months before her son, Stephen Hudson, “dragged” her to a doctor and she was diagnosed with the disease in June last year.

Ms Hudson, who lived in East Barnet, told her son that she “didn’t want to put worry” on him and was in denial that something was wrong, despite rapid weight loss.

She died this year on April 6, aged 69.

Mr Hudson now wants to increase awareness about early and regular check-ups for cancer using money donated to him by the people whose lives his mother touched.

Mr Hudson, 34, of Rushdene Avenue, East Barnet, said: “My mum had a stern nature and was always putting others before herself. That nature was why she ignored her symptoms and just carried on.

“I want to make sure as many people as possible don’t avoid getting checked out. We see all these adverts on TV but nothing sinks in. Attitudes need to change.”

According to Mr Hudson, his mother was very popular in the area and a lot of people turned out for her funeral on April 27, which would have been her 70th birthday.

Much of the money Mr Hudson has raised came from donations at the service in New Southgate Crematorium, East Barnet.

Ms Hudson was a fan of popular sitcom Only Fools and Horse and her funeral procession was led by a replica of Del Boy’s distinctive three-wheel yellow van.

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She raised her son on her own and eventually started work as a court usher at the Old Bailey, where she continued working until she died.

Her bosses – manager David Moorecroft, High Court Judge Gerald Gordon and Recorder of London Nick Hilliard – threw a quiz night at the court in her name, which raised even more money for Mr Hudson’s campaign.

He has donated the £1,200 to donate to Breast Cancer Awareness, part of Cancer Research UK, and Barnet Hospital.

Mr Hudson, who works as an actor, said: “I want to thank all three of them. Without them, we would not have nearly as much money to help work towards raising even more awareness.”

For now Mr Hudson plans to take some time to grieve but he plans to continue raising money in his mother’s name.

He has several ideas, including a comedy sketch show with episodes sold online and proceeds sent to charities.

He said: “They say the grief only sinks in once all the arrangements are over, so I’m going to let that happen for now.

“I’ve done surprisingly little to get all this money together so, once I have grieved, I want to get to work getting this message across for my mum.”