Lucy's driving ambition set to be fulfilled

A TERMINALLY-ILL mum says she has been "overwhelmed" with offers of help after appearing in The Herald.

Mother-of-two Lucy Johns, from Weston Mill, is suffering from an incurable form of cancer.

The 30-year-old is desperate to learn to drive so she can give son Stanley, five, a lift to school.

And after The Herald featured her story driving instructors from across the city have clamoured to help out.

Now four qualified instructors are offering Lucy free lessons in the hope of helping her dream come true.

"It's quite overwhelming," she said.

"I didn't realise people were this nice, to be honest.

"This means so much to me, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has offered to help me."

Lucy was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago – and it has since spread to her bones and liver.

The disease is classed as Stage Four Terminal, meaning there is no cure, and she has trouble walking very far as a result of the cancer in her bones.

She is undergoing constant treatment and says she is living "three months at a time".

Lucy and Dockyard worker husband Pete, who also have a two-year-old daughter, Lillie-Lou, would struggle to afford driving lessons.

But young Stanley is getting increasingly upset that his mum cannot accompany him to the school gates.

Eggbuckland-based David Waldock, of the L of A Good Driving School, is one of those to offer come to Lucy's rescue.

He took her for a spin on Wednesday as she aims to take her test within weeks.

"My father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer in November two years ago," Mr Waldock said.

"He died in the January following that and it really, really hit us hard.

"That photo of Lucy with her two children, it was just heart-wrenching.

"I just wanted to do something to give something back."

Michelle Smith, from Ford, who has just qualified as a driving instructor, was also moved by Lucy's story.

She is in the process of setting up her own business, All Avenues Driving, and has just got the keys to a new Peugeot 208 she will use to teach her students.

"It hit home with me," Michelle said. "I lost my dad to cancer."

Leah Stone, of Leah's Driving School, said: "I saw Lucy's story in The Herald and was very moved.

"I have a family member who is terminally ill and would like to think someone would make her last wish come true."

Lucy said she was now looking forward to learning with a fourth instructor, self-employed Andy Roberts, who has also contacted her offering daily lessons.

"I didn't think this would happen," she added. "I thought it was a really big long-shot telling people about wanting driving lessons.

"But I've heard from lots of people saying 'If I can help in any way just ask'.

"It does restore your faith in people – I'm so grateful."