A family battling cancer for the third time are campaigning to raise funds for controversial treatment in Mexico.

Sandra Richardson, 51, from Hartlepool, lost her husband, Frank, 12 years ago, to cancer and was left to bring up her three daughters alone. The eldest, Lauren, was 12 at the time, Hayley was ten and Joelle, six.

Two years ago, Mrs Richardson was given the news she had breast cancer, but fought determinedly for the sake of her family.

In August last year she was dealt another blow - secondary cancer had developed and doctors predicted that she would have only two to three years to live.

Mrs Richardson, an active speaker at breast cancer seminars, sees treatment at an alternative medicine clinic in Mexico as her last chance to watch her granddaughter, Claudia, grow up.

The Oasis of Hope Hospital, in Tijuana, Mexico, treats cancer patients holistically, by boosting the body's immune system.

Called Issels treatment, its concept is based on a theory that cancers only develop in an unhealthy body, where they can continue to grow and re-occur even after the successful removal of a tumour by chemotherapy, surgery or radiation.

The hospital claims to have improved the life expectancy of some of its patients by as much as 45 years.

"I have so much to live for," said Mrs Richardson. "I have my beautiful little granddaughter to watch grow up and I am yet to see my three girls walk down the aisle.

"My life is full and I feel I still have a great deal to offer, so I'm not leaving this earth without a fight."

Sandra has secondary cancer in her bones and liver. Chemotherapy has shrunk the tumours in her liver but doctors say nothing can be done to stop the spread of the bone cancer.

It is hoped the Issels treatment will stimulate her immune system to recognise the cancer cells and remove them from the body.

The clinic has been open for about 50 years, and many British people have gone there for treatment.

Mrs Richardson's daughters have set up the Sandra Richardson Stop The Clock Campaign in the hope of raising enough money to send her for treatment.

Daughter Lauren, 24, said: "Time is now a major factor as we may only have 24 months. The quicker we raise the money, the better. It is not guaranteed to be successful, but it is certainly worth a try."

Mrs Richardson is proud of how her daughters are coping with her illness - especially after losing their father to the same disease.

"They are my rock," she said. "I have no idea what it must feel like to lose a parent at such an early age. Losing their dad hit them hard, but I am so proud of the way they have dealt with it."

The fundraising campaign aims to raise £20,000 to cover the cost of the treatment.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact campaign secretary Judith Healey on (01642) 384569 or 07811 375445.