A mum-of-two battling a rare form of cancer is set to undergo potentially life-saving treatment using an alternative therapy after a successful appeal for cash.

Christine Bailey, 41, of Woodside, has been told by doctors that the cancer which has spread from her adrenal gland is incurable using conventional medicines.

But hundreds of people have backed the campaign 'A Cure for Christine' to raise £4,500 to fund a therapy from the United States. It uses substances derived from shark cartilage which, it is claimed, can cure the disease.

Mrs Bailey said she was looking to begin the treatment, initially for two months, in the next fortnight and would be monitored by specialists at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Surgery to remove a tumour the size of a melon was carried out in the summer and she was put on a course of chemotherapy to target the illness which had spread to her lungs and lymph glands.

She was forced to end the treatment early a month ago because it was making her very ill. But it was hoped the drugs had prevented growth of the cancer which affects just one in a million people.

She said she was determined to overcome the disease. Thanks to the efforts of so many people, she now had the chance.

She had been overwhelmed by the generosity of more than 350 people who had taken part in a huge charity event at the East Ward Labour Club as well as organising a host of other activities including head shaves and sponsored walks.

"I am really pleased with how it has gone - everyone has been wonderful," she said.

"I am determined this is not going to beat me.

"The chemotherapy does not offer me a cure. All it can offer, and that is not 100 per cent, is to slow it down.

"The shark cartilage is offering a total cure and I'm thinking, 'Wouldn't it be marvellous if it worked on me?' So I've got to go for it."

Mrs Bailey has been fully backed in her efforts to beat cancer by a wide circle of friends and family which includes husband Keith and two daughters, Adele and Terri.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.