AN aspiring paramedic has set herself a challenge of raising more than £1,000 for cancer charities, while dispelling myths about the travelling community.

Jane Morton, 15 who comes from a travelling family, has joined forces with her friend Chloe Daggett to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Breast Cancer Care.

Jane and Chloe, 12, who both have family members who have had cancer, have already raised £500 at a Mother’s Day-themed event in East Thirsk Community Hall, are planning to get sponsorship to dye their hair in shocking colours, and hope to run another fundraising event in the summer.

The teenager, who lives in a Broadacres Housing Association property in Sutton Court, Thirsk, said: “Chloe and I both know people who have had cancer; in my case it was my mum and in Chloe’s case it was her grandmother.

“Charities such as Cancer Research UK do a great job trying to find a cure for cancer and supporting those who are diagnosed with cancer, so we just wanted to do our own little thing to help.

“I want to make a difference to peoples’ lives and at the same time hopefully go some way to dispelling the myths about the travelling community.

“I am proud to be a traveller and want to show that people that we can make a meaningful contribution to society.”

Emily Thomas, Broadacres’ Community Involvement Manager, said: “Young people often make the news for the wrong reasons, so it is heartening to see two passionate, articulate and determined youngsters as Jane and Chloe doing such fantastic things.”