A woman from Helston who has refused to let terminal cancer get in the way of supporting causes close to her heart has presented her most recent fundraising of more than £2,500.

It is fitting timing that as Stand Up to Cancer events take place up and down the country this month, Debbie Adlard – who has not only stood up to the disease but laughed in its face – should hand over the cheque on Wednesday for three cancer charities.

Debbie, who was joined by her husband Jim for the presentation, handed over the money to Karen Kurdish from the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity. It will be divided between the Sunrise Centre, Headland Unit and the Cove Centre, all based on the site of the Truro hospital and all of which Debbie has used regularly. Money was raised at an 80s-themed party night at the Godolphin Club earlier this month. It stemmed from Debbie’s surprise 50th birthday party in January, when she was heard to say: “I wish I could do it all again” – so they did.

Friends and family helped her organise the fundraising event, which raised a total of £2,552.43 – including some late donations, after the cheque presentation.

Falmouth Packet:

Debbie and Jim Adlard at the fundraising event

DJ in Cornwall provided a disco and generous prize for the auction, which also included a holiday, dance floor and photo booth package, bridal shop voucher and a beauty package.

There was also a tombola and a raffle, with prizes including Champagne, nail vouchers and at least six meals – all of which had been donated by local businesses and individuals.

Debbie friend Melinda King, who helped organise the event along with Linda Roberts, said: “Thank you so much to everyone that donated a prize, bought a raffle ticket either at the tombola or on the night and everyone who came.”

Melinda also thanked Helston photographer Jake Riding for giving his time to take photos of the evening.

Debbie is well known across Helston for her smiling face, including at Tesco where she continued to work until recently, despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She also kept working as a physiotherapist assistant at Helston Community Hospital.

It was just over three years ago that Debbie first discovered a lump in her breast, thus beginning a long journey of primary breast cancer then a secondary cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy and subsequent chemical burn from it, radiotherapy and numerous scans and infections.

Despite this, she has focussed on the good times she has experienced and the people she has met, saying: "Both of my jobs and the colleagues I work with have been so lovely and accommodating, family have been there behind me and pushed me on when at times I'd given up, especially the love of my life Jimmy and my boys.”