IT WAS her life’s ambition – terminally-ill mum Ros Marsh wanted to raise £100,000 for a cancer charity before she dies.

Today, the mum-of-two is celebrating after learning she has smashed the target and said “it’s a dream come true”.

A Christmas disco she organised in Wootton Bassett last night was set to raise £2,500 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, taking the grand total to just over £102,000.

Ros, 43, of Broome Manor, Swindon, said: “I am elated, I am emotional and I am overwhelmed.

“It has been a tall order to get there, and a lot of people have put in a lot of hard work, but I can’t tell you how excited I am that we’ve made it.

“It’s a dream come true.”

Ros – mother of five-year-old Zach and 17-year-old Sophia – began raising money for Breakthrough 12 years ago after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30.

After a double mastectomy and chemotherapy, she was given the all clear, only to find out last year the cancer was back.

This time, the disease is in her bones and doctors say there is nothing they can do. Ros was given between 12 and 24 months to live.

Over the years, the supermum has done everything from running the New York Marathon to trekking to Machu Picchu for sponsorship.

She became friends with the late Shirley Garman, who aimed to hit the £1m mark with her fundraising efforts, and Ros’s money is part of that fund.

Earlier this year, Ros picked up the 2009 Women of Courage bravery award in recognition of all her hard work.

She had the audience at the London ceremony in tears as she told them of her daily struggle and received a standing ovation for her acceptance speech.

Since Ros’s 2008 diagnosis, friends and family have pulled out all the stops to help her reach her target.

This year alone, more than £37,000 has flooded in – £12,000 was made at a charity ball in the summer and £2,000 was raised by children at Lawn Primary School, where Ros’s son Zach is a pupil.

“People have been amazingly generous. It hasn’t been just me doing all this, I’ve had a lot of help,” she said.

“It’s unbelieveable that we’ve got there at last, and just in time for Christmas. The Christmas bells are ringing really loud right now.”

In celebration of the milestone and to commemorate Shirley Garman’s life, Ros will be releasing 100 balloons from Barbury Castle, near Wroughton, on January 8, which would have been Shirley’s birthday. To sponsor a balloon, or make a donation, email Ros at rosmarsh@live.co.uk.

After last night’s festivities, Ros is now looking forward to spending Christmas at home with her husband, Roger, children and parents.

She said: “I’m managing OK at the moment. Things aren’t too bad – I’m pretty stable and the tablets I’m taking are helping to keep the pain under control.

“I’m really looking forward to a merry Christmas more than ever now.”

For more information on Breakthrough Breast Cancer in Wiltshire, go to www.breakthrough.org.uk/groups/wiltshire.