FRIENDS of a North-East breast cancer sufferer have raised £3,000 to pay for her to go to a special cancer centre in Bristol.

Sheila Burt, 52, of Darlington, was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, resulting in a mastectomy, 13 chemotherapy and 25 radiotherapy sessions, causing her to lose her hair twice.

After a nurse suggested Ms Burt went to the Bristol Cancer Help Centre, she started to look into it and mentioned it to her friend Julie Chapman, of Chapman's Sandwich Bar, in Woodlands Road.

Ms Chapman then organised a night of events at Darlington Memorial Hospital Club.

The prizes for the raffles and tombolas were donated by a host of firms, the pies for the pie and peas supper were donated by Taylor's butchers, football memorabilia from Leeds and Middlesbrough football clubs was auctioned and there was a disco.

Ms Burt said: "Julie got it all up and running, but so many people helped, donating prizes and taking part, and without them I could never go to Bristol."

The Bristol centre offers a range of alternative therapies under one roof, aimed at providing a holistic approach, benefiting mind, body and spirit.

Ms Burt said: "The breast care nurse said it would do me the world of good to go.

"The doctors, counsellors and therapists there will give me a positive programme to follow, to make me feel confident and give me a positive outlook. I'm really looking forward to it," she said.

"You do get down about cancer, the chemotherapy knocks you out and when my hair went I did feel down, but on the whole I'm quite bright, I don't let it get me down."

Ms Burt will begin a year-long course at the centre next week, spending two days there at first, followed by a five-day stay.

The experts will develop a programme for her and also help her to find reputable alternative therapists in the North-East to continue the treatment at home