THE force was definitely with Bolton policewoman Pat Byrne when colleagues in Greater Manchester Police helped her raise £25,000 - more than double her £10,000 target - for the hospital that saved her life.

And they were there in strength at Farnworth Veterans' Club when she presented the money to Dr Roger James, a consultant radiotherapist at Manchester's Christie Hospital, where Pat was successfully treated after developing cancer twice in two years.

Pat said: "I was determined to do something to thank Christie's, but never expected to raise so much. That's due to the goodwill of my colleagues who gave up a lot of their own time and used tremendous initiative."

Their fund-raising activities included rafting, abseiling, a truck pull in Rochdale and a 'jailbreak' from Bootle Street police station in Manchester where Pat is based. The two 'convicts', whose aim was to travel as far as possible without spending any money, reached New York courtesy of British Airways and collected £90 from passengers.

"These days the police get a lot of criticism, but they're a great crowd and have given me tremendous support," said Pat.

She was first diagnosed as suffering from Hodgkin's disease in 1992 and made a full recovery within a year. Then the cancer returned but following intensive treatment Pat is now well enough to return to work soon.

Pat expected the last fundraising effort to be the benefit evening in Farnworth where guest appearances were made by drag star Foo Foo Lamar, Les Dawson's widow Tracey, stage hypnotist Pete Powers and Pat's brother, the comic Mike Lancaster.

But there are a few outstanding events still to take place including a sponsored cycle ride from Southport to Bolton.

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