Teaching assistant raises £16k for cancer department

A teaching assistant has returned to the hospital where she fought off breast cancer to present a £16,000 cheque to the staff that cared for her.

Valerie Bailey, a teaching assistant at Irthington School, was part of the fundraising team who organised a charity ball for the Cumberland Infirmary, reports the Cumberland News.

The department for oncology and radiotherapy and the breast screening unit at the Carlisle hospital benefitted by £16,000 thanks to her hard work.

Along with fellow cancer survivor Paula Rowland, Ms Bailey planned and organised a ball at the Greenhill Hotel at the end of March.

With 300 guests paying to get in and many companies donating raffle prizes, the event was a huge success.

Ms Bailey told the newspaper: "It was a really fantastic night. Everyone made an effort and the atmosphere was brilliant.

"We just wanted to show people that you just keep going, even after cancer."

In partnership with the West Cumberland hospital, the Cumberland Infirmary helps provide care to 340,000 people in north Cumbria.

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