SIBLINGS Tom and Sarah Ramsden have already helped to raise more than £2,000 for the good causes helping them battle cancer.

The pair have Hodgkin's Lymphoma and decided that they should raise money for the three organisations helping them.

Tom, 22, who works at Cellar V Caf Bar, Oxford Road, Guiseley, was diagnosed with the disease in October last year, and Sarah, 19, who works at McDonald's in Guiseley, found out that she had cancer in February.

Parents, Pat and Allan, and younger brother, Joshua, 13, of Hawksworth Lane, Guiseley are now committed to fundraising with efforts led by Carla Edmonds and three other friends.

At a coffee morning held at the beginning of May, Allan wrote a note for the people who were helping to raise money.

It read: "May I take this personal opportunity in thanking you for attending this coffee morning in aid of Thomas and Sarah's charity. I could follow on with how Pat and I feel and the situations we continually find ourselves in, and many times wonder if we have the strength to go that extra bit that is required.

"What I would like to say is that the extra bit is supplied by you.

"The medical staff are brilliant in what they do and our sincere thanks go out to the nurses and doctors at LGI, teenage cancer trust at St James' and the Lymphoma Association who are always there when we have our darkest moments.

"The positive attitude we so desperately need is supplied by the phonecall, the meal at a friends, the grass cut by a neighbour, the gifts for the tombola, 50 pence from the old lady who cannot attend the coffee morning, large donations from our race sponsors on June 20, but most of all from knowing you are there when we need you, sincere thanks, Allan."

Mrs Edmonds said that everyone had been touched by the willingness to help.

She said: "It would be difficult for me to describe to you the immensely happy and positive atmosphere. So many people offered their help and gave us donations both of money and goods for us to sell.

"The Guide Hut was crowded out and, as one person said to me, what characterised the whole event was a real sense of a community pulling together in support of the Ramsden family.

"Thomas also said to me that he felt he had been part of something wonderful.

"Pat told me how moved both Sarah and Tom are by all the good will shown to them.

"We wish to extend our sincere thanks to all those who made the event such a success."

The next event to raise money is due to be at the ANSA Sports Club in Nunroyd Park, Guiseley in June.

More details are available from Carla Edmonds on (01943) 876254.

l Anyone wanting to donate to the three organisations - the teenage cancer unit at St James Hospital, the haematology department at the LGI, and the Lymphoma Association - can pay it into HSBC into account number 61236687, sort code 40-22-28 in the name Mr A and Mrs P Ramsden.