IRIS Richardson is an attractive middle aged woman, a mother of four with six grandchildren.

She looks happy and healthy, enjoys a busy social life and likes getting out and meeting people.

But four years ago, her life was turned upside down.

She lives in Rook Street, Preston, and at the time, worked nearby at Thorn Lighting in Kent Street, which has since closed down.

"It was my colleagues who first pointed out that all was not well," she said: "They were very embarrassed about saying so, but eventually they told me my eyes were bulging out!"

Iris said she felt all right and didn't even suffer headaches which is why the diagnosis was such a shock - Iris had a brain tumour and the doctor who treated her said she must have had it for ten years!

Since then she has been attending Christie's in Manchester where she still goes every three months for treatment. She also has regular scans at the Royal Preston Hospital and attends St Catherine's Hospice.

"St Catherine's has proved a light relief from the medical world," she said: "You still get the care but it is nothing like a hospital."

But she was reluctant to go at first: "I thought I was on my way out when my social worker first suggested I come.

"But visiting the Day Care Centre has helped me enormously."

Iris attends the hospice once a week but admits she'd like to be able to go more often.

St Catherine's is currently undergoing an extension to the Day Care Centre and when complete next spring, it will enable patients like Iris to attend more often.

Anyone wishing to join the Citizen in supporting the Brick by Brick appeal to raise £250,000 for the extension should call the hospice on 01772-324540 and let us know about your fund-raising ideas, call newsdesk on 01772-255522/3.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.