A TERMINALLY ill cancer patient is hoping to raise thousands of pounds this Sunday for the Raise the Roof appeal.

Sheena Scott, 44, from Darwen, was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago.

With the help and support of East Lancashire Hospice she managed to defeat the disease.

But six months ago she developed a secondary lung cancer, which could not be treated.

Sheena has now reached the end of the three months that doctors predicted she had left to live.

Her sister Rhona Eccles, 44, has cared for her in-between stays at the hospice.

She has helped Sheena organise a charity event at the Entwistle Pub in Darwen, where the duo intend to sell all the stock left over from Sheena's Accrington Market stall, including jewellery, handbags and scarves.

The money will go towards the Lancashire Telegraph campaign, which aims to raise £125,000 to build a new roof over the hospice’s inpatients unit in Park Lee Road, Blackburn.

Rhona said: “It's an appeal for the hospice and a chance for Sheena to say goodbye.

“She doesn't have long to live so this Sunday we are holding an event where we'll be selling all the stock she used to have at her business.”

Prior to her first diagnosis with cancer, Sheena had worked as a nursing home chef.

She set up the market stall last December as her condition improved, and just before her second, terminal diagnosis.

For the past five years Sheena and Rhona, along with their other sisters Karen and Donna, have raised money for various breast cancer charities.

Sheena attended the charity’s recent Starlight Walk in a wheelchair, while her 70-year-old mother completed the walk.

And Rhona said Sunday’s event was all about recognising East Lancashire Hospice's work, because the family have come to know its staff so well and appreciate all the hard work that they do.

She said: “We are hoping to keep the fundraising going in Sheena's memory and help the hospice, which is desperate for this money and will always need help.”

How to donate

  • By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

    Charity No 1075653.

  • Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
  • At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
  • By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
  • By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.

Click on the link below for more information on the Raise The Roof campaign.