TO say thanks to a charity which gave help and support as she fought off cancer ten years ago Amanda Hughes staged a fundraising party.

Hundreds of people turned out for the 34-year-old’s Party for Life charity ball in aid of Cancer Research UK.

She had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when she was just 24.

But after chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Amanda, from Colden Common, beat the cancer and went on to become a mum to Louis, 5, and Imogen, 3.

She hosted the glamorous ball at Norton Park Hotel, Sutton Scotney, and raised a massive £14,400 for the charity.

Amanda said: “I was touched and amazed by people’s generosity on the night, particularly in the current financial climate.

“It wasn’t just luck that gave me my life back. Fifty years ago Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was a death sentence.

“It was the hard work and determination of researchers and the generosity of fundraisers in the past that gave my children and I the gift of life.

“If it hadn’t been for the work done over the years by Cancer Research neither I, nor my two young children, would be here today.”