THE inspiring story of a cancer sufferer has led to a £1,000 donation to charity.

Darlington Women's Club will hand the money over to Breakthrough Breast Cancer at its annual meeting next month.

Club president Vera Hughes chose to support the cause after hearing a talk by Sue Riches, who was diagnosed as having breast cancer and subsequently had a mastectomy.

"This gave her a new perspective on life and led to her joining the first all-female expedition to the North Pole, along with her daughter," said Mrs Hughes.

"She has lived a happy and fulfilling life since the operation, but is only too aware that from the one in 12 women who will suffer from the disease, more than 1,000 die each month."

Most of the money was raised at a concert featuring Blackwell Ladies' Choir and the Masonaires.

The rest came from coffee mornings, raffles, donations from speakers and the Aldbrough St John Monday Club.

The annual meeting, on June 9, will also see the club show its appreciation for two past presidents - Jeanetter Leckenby, who has been a member for 49 years, and Roula Murray, a member for 43 years. Both are being given honorary membership.