A CANCER patient has thanked friends and family who helped her raise more than £1,000 for the hospital ward where she is being treated.

Julie Taylorson from Willington has been attending the Mara Unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital, County Durham, every three weeks for the past 18 months in her battle with cancer.

She and her friends organised a charity night at the Victoria Club in Willlington which raised more than £1,000 for the unit.

Local businesses donated raffle prizes and several bands performed free of charge at the event, while Ms Taylorson’s friend Hazel Robinson also had her shoulder length hair shaved off to raise funds.

Ms Taylorson said: “I had no idea what the Mara Unit was until I needed it.

“The work they do is incredible and the staff are always very friendly, they are like one big family.”

Staff nurse Helen Haley said the money will go towards providing extra services, such as acupuncture, to help with patients’ comfort.

Ms Taylorson said: “I want to thank everyone who helped us raise this money for a truly worthy cause.”