IRENE Parkinson has donated almost £9,000 to Christie's to say thank-you for saving her life.

he Atherton businesswoman was diagnosed with lymph cancer three years ago, and after surgery and continuous check-ups at the Manchester-based specialist hospital, she is now clear of the disease.

As a massive thank-you to the staff who nursed her back to health, Irene decided to hold a charity garden party at her Breeze Hill home in Atherton.

Over 200 guests helped her raise the impressive sum of £8,784, which was donated to Christie's by herself and her husband Bill, who own a Burnley brewery and the Atherton-based Lifting Gear Hire Ltd.

Irene said: "I'm really thrilled, especially as this was our first fund-raising event. I've been wanting to do something to help Christie's out for a while but finding the time when you're in business is difficult. I had a lot of support from friends, family and colleagues so it has all been worthwhile. We enjoyed ourselves despite the pouring rain."

Christie Hospital regional appeals officer Jacky Plant said: "This is a fantastic sum to raise from one event. It will give a huge boost to our funds for research and patient facilities. It is through the generosity of people like Mrs Parkinson that we are able, for example, to help finance the development of new techniques such as gene therapy."