A brother and sister whose mother died has taken on the challenge of finding a cure for cancer.

Tarai Edgehill, eight, and little sister Sanai, three, lost their mum Annalesha to the disease nearly a year ago.

The youngsters took on Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life ‘Pretty Muddy Kids’, an obstacle course designed for children - in Enfield on June 9.

Dad, Tarik, explained the challenges of dealing with the loss of his wife and being a single parent.

He said: “I try to be mummy as best I can – I braid Sanai’s hair, I read her story books and take care of her emotions the best way I can.

“I am teaching Tarai to groom himself and carry good behaviour.

“I’m home-schooling them.

“It’s a real journey but we are taking it step by step.”

Although his heart is broken, he says that his children are helping to mend it.

He said: “They are my best medicine.

“Anna’s energy is always here and that helps a lot.

“I say hello to her in the morning and the children and I talk about her all the time.

“Tarai particularly has seen the ups and the downs.

“Since his mother’s passing, he has been concentrating on science projects.

“He’s passionate about it - he really wants to find a cure for cancer.”

Annalesha was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in July 2015 after finding a lump.

She had just returned to work from maternity leave after giving birth to Sanai.

Despite chemotherapy and a double mastectomy the cancer spread to her lymph nodes and her liver.

Annalesha passed away in July 2017 at the age of 32.

The family have Anna’s ashes in two urns.

“We have an urn for each of the children – Anna wanted us to be able to carry her with them wherever they go, so we will do that.”

Since his wife’s death Tarik has been struggling financially.

To help him, friends have set up a GoFundMe page, if you would like to help go to https://www.gofundme.com/naturaleesh