WOMEN donned their football boots yesterday in a drive to raise £20,000 for treatment for a friend and colleague who is fighting breast cancer.

More than 30 women travelled to Middlesbrough Football in the Community Centre, in Eston, for a five-a-side tournament.

The women are raising funds so Sandy Richardson, 51, a business advisor, from Seaton Carew, can visit Mexico's Oasis of Hope Clinic for treatment. It is hoped the alternative therapy clinic will be able to prolong her life or put the cancer in remission.

The tournament organiser, businesswoman Judith Healey, said: "We thought this would be something different and would create publicity for Sandy's campaign. We have now raised about £12,000, but there is still a long way to go and time is ticking for Sandy.

"We have had tremendous support so far, and we would like to thank everybody who has been in touch. We would also like to thank the Enterprise Academy, Middlesbrough Football in the Community for letting us have the facilities free of charge, Women into the Network which helped publicise the campaign and Yellowhouse, who supplied free soft drinks for the players."

Mrs Richardson was told she could have only a few years to live because she is suffering from secondary cancer as a result of breast cancer she suffered two years ago. She lost her husband, Frank, 12 years ago to cancer, leaving her to bring up their three children on her own.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact campaign secretary Judith Healey on (01642) 384543.