A FUNDRAISER has been set up for a Prudhoe woman and her family to go on their first family holiday after she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer followed by having her leg amputated.

On December 23, 2023, 40-year-old mum of four, Laura Tate, was diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma Cancer in her knee.

Several weeks later, on January 17, she had to have her leg amputated.

Her friend Holli Hudspith wanted to do something for her friend after this life-changing circumstance, so she created a fundraiser to send the family on their first-ever holiday.

She said: "Laura has been suffering from pain in her knee for almost 10 years, and over the past 2.5 years, she has had numerous visits to hospitals and doctors, but nothing has ever come of these.

"She always picked herself up and managed to go to work, attend all of her kid's activities and events for the sake of everyone else, and always got on with family life to the best of her ability.

"She began suffering a lot and ended up with an emergency MRI scan, which revealed she had cancer.

"She has had to leave her job, which she loved and has lost so much of her independence and freedom, which is so unfair.

"Unfortunately, chemo was not able to save her leg, so she had surgery on  January 17 to amputate her leg from mid-thigh.

"Laura is the strongest and bravest woman I have ever met in my life. Her attitude and zest for life is inspiring. She has so much to fight for; she has four amazing children, a wonderful supporting husband, and amazing family and friends who are there for life.

"So, Laura has set herself a goal, to be able to go on their first ever family holiday abroad to Lanzarote in May 2025 - this was booked before her diagnosis.

"It would be a dream come true to be able to raise enough money to fund this for them all; it’s so well deserved. So any donation, no matter how small, is so gratefully received."