A REDDITCH woman who owes her life to the Alexandra Hospital has put out a heartfelt appeal to help raise as much cash as possible for the much maligned hospital.

Niki Jones was treated at the breast cancer unit at the Alex Hospital, where she works as an administrator, after discovering she had breast cancer in January 2015.

At the time, she was considered too young to be automatically invited for a mammogram via the NHS Breast Screening Programme, but instead found out she had cancer after agreeing to take part in a trial.

Following her shock diagnosis, she went on to have a double mastectomy and was luckily given the all clear in November last year.

She is now passionately fundraising for the breast cancer unit as well as raising awareness the hospital’s "excellent" facilities.

"I want to let everyone know that our breast cancer care is the very best," she said.

"I hope some people see me and go and get diagnosed and get treatment early.

"One of the things I would like to do is make people more aware. A lot of people don't go to their mammogram appointments or smear test perhaps because they are afraid - but the results will the same."

She added: "When I was getting treatment for cancer I saw a lot of woman younger than me. I do think the age of the test should be reduced."

The 52-year-old Greenlands resident, together with hospital dining room supervisor Kelly Edwards, whose mother had breast cancer, is planning a special fundraising day at the hospital, with a number of events taking place at Quinney's Restaurant.

There will be a special breast cancer bake off, a cake raffle, and food and drink and other refreshments throughout the day.

A raffle which started out with just £200 worth of prizes now stands at a whopping £5,000 including a high number of lavish prizes.

Ms Jones, who urged as many people as possible to attend, said the day is a celebration of the good work the hospital and all its staff do.

"I have been humbled by people's generosity so far," she said.

"People have been so amazing."

The fundraising event is on Thursday, July 6.

The main raffle will be drawn at 1.30pm on the day.