CANCER charity champion Ilse Splaine stepped out to raise money for the hospital that saved her life.

Ilse, and eight sponsored friends, set off from Leigh's civic centre to Bolton collecting en route for Christie Hospital, where 15 years ago she was successfully treated for ovarian and bowel cancer.

Following her treatment, and to say thank you to the hospital, Ilse and husband Bob, now an Atherton councillor, organised a strawberry fair in the garden of their Cumberland Road home.

It was such a success it has become an annual event on the Atherton calendar and has raised in the region of £15,000 and this year the couple will host their 12th fete on June 29.

In the meantime Ilse, neighbours and friends -- including Iris Myerscough, Eric and Andrew Waddington, Tommy Mellor and Mary Toppin -- headed off on the 10 mile trek to Bolton last week.

They hope they will finally raise £2,300 for the chemotherapy fund set up by Ilse's consultant, Dr Peter Wilkinson, and for the latest gene therapy.

Ilse, aged 67, who still has an annual checks at Christies, said: "Bob and I are very deeply involved with the hospital and will do all we can to continue to help.

"The walk was a great success and let's hope what the participants have done will do someone some good."