A SUPPORT group which offers help to people affected by cancer is celebrating its second anniversary.

The Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group has gone from strength to strength since it was set up - with membership more than doubling in the last year alone.

Allison White, of Newton Aycliffe, founded the group two years ago this month in a bid to provide people living with cancer, their relatives, friends and carers with emotional support and financial advice following her own experience with leukaemia.

"I'm totally shocked with how it's going," said Allison, 38, who is in remission. "I'm happy because it's taking off and it just proves it is needed."

The group, as well as a lifeline to her, offers a place for its 47 members from across County Durham to come together and talk.

Using her knowledge and personal experience, Allison is able to point group members in the right direction to agencies that can help with their specific issues.

"It's not about crying and getting upset, it's about giving them the right help and support," she added. "We're not a doom and gloom group, we have fun."

Members are taken on activity days and in the pipeline this year is the group's first over night trip, to Harrogate, plus a planned skydive in June.

Transport can be provided for those unable to reach Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre for monthly meetings.

Allison will be promoting the group and fundraising at a stall in the Thames Centre in the town on Saturday (February 6) complete with tombola, facepainting and balloon making.

For information and to donate a prize contact Allison on 07762258696.