THREE years to the day from being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, a Bellingham woman took to her local show to raise money and awareness for a charity which has provided huge support to her.

Michelle Scott was diagnosed with a haemangiopericytoma tumour in her brain and due to the rare nature of the tumour, it’s hard for medical staff to ascertain how long she has to live.

After being referred by her Macmillan nurse to Lifespan Complementary, based in Hexham, Michelle has been receiving reflexology and reiki therapy around once a week from her Lifespan therapist.

The charity provides support to people with serious and life-limiting illnesses, and the treatments Michelle receives focus on soothing, relaxing, and helping to ease symptoms.

Forty-five-year-old Michelle said the help she has received from her Lifespan therapist is what inspired her to raise money for the charity.

“If I rang up on a Sunday she would come out, even though she’s not expected to work a Sunday,” she said. “She really goes above and beyond what is expected of her.”

Michelle paid a reduced rate for a stall to hold a tombola at Bellingham Show this year and asked everyone she knew to donate prizes – resulting in more than 100 donations.

Along with the help of family who helped her run the stall, she raised £169 to donate to the charity.

“A lot people think Lifespan is run by Macmillan and that it gets money from them, but it’s not, and I think if people knew that it might get more support,” she said.

Michelle is asking for further donations to be made, so she can pass them to Lifespan for any future fund-raising work. Donations can be left at Bellingham Golf Club for the attention of Michelle Scott.