FRIENDS and family of cancer sufferer Gemma Pickles flocked to a fundraising reunion.

Gemma, aged 21, is fighting a rare form of bone cancer, and friends have launched the Little Gem Appeal to raise awareness of the disease as well as cash for several bone cancer charities.

The latest fundraiser was held at the Royal British Legion in Horwich which collected almost £1,300 after 130 people attended, from as far away as Leicester and Birmingham.

Gemma unable to be there herself as she was in hospital after developing an infection.

But one of the founders of the appeal and a school friend of Gemma's, Gemma Livesy, said: "It was absolutely perfect. Everything went really well. We really couldn't believe how far people travelled to come and show their support.

"Gemma is doing so well, despite her recent setback. She was so touched that we'd organised this for her and that people travelled from all over the country to be there. It's made her even more determined than ever."

Gemma, from Balley Mill, Eagley, was diagnosed with cancer last November after developing tumours on her neck and face.

She is currently undergoing painful chemotherapy and must have the tumours removed surgically.

It is hoped surgeons will be able to operate next month, but that has yet to be confirmed.

Doctors will then have to reconstruct her jaw, using either bone from her leg or a metal plate.

Gemma hit the headlines last October when she claimed Bolton Council sacked her for taking too much time off work because of her cancer.

Student nurse Gemma, who was a care worker serving her probation period, claimed bosses knew about her tumour when she was dismissed.

Since the Little Gem Appeal was launched her friends have also raised cash by organising a stall at Bolton Market, complete with advice leaflets and fundraising buckets.

The next event will be a sponsored three-legged pub crawl through Horwich in March.