A BRAVE cancer survivor has raised more than £30,000 for charity in a decade.

And now Cath Woods has been nominated for a national award for her inspirational fundraising work – and needs public votes to win.

Cath was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago and has since dedicated time and energy to raise an enormous amount of cash.

She was working as a teacher at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn, when she was diagnosed with the illness and described the news as “devastating”.

Since then Cath has been described as a “one-woman fundraising machine” and has organised breakfast mornings and charity concerts.

Last year Cath entered the London Marathon and ran to the finish line to raise a massive £5,500 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

In one of the more unusual events, Cath persuaded business bosses to repaint a JCB pink and then rent it out to raise cash. Now in recognition of her achievements, Cath, 62, has made it into the final three for the ‘Most Inspirational Fund Raiser of the Year” award in recognition of raising £30,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity.

She said: “I have always been a fit person. I couldn't believe it when I was told I had breast cancer. The news obviously devastated me and my family.”

Cath said she had to stay strong for her daughter Abigail, now 36, who was then in her first year working as a vet and her son Dustin, now 34, who was in his final year at Cambridge University.

“It was a case of fighting the illness” Cath said. “Two alternatives entered my mind, should I sink or should I swim?”

She battled her way through chemotherapy and re-constructive surgery and is proud to say she beat the cancer.

Cath said: “I spent five years on medication after surgery and now the treatment is finished. I just hope the cancer doesn't come back.

“It’s fantastic that the cancer has gone and it’s just great to be alive.”

On the award nomination she said: “I feel humble and astonished. It would be an honour to be voted as the most inspirational fund raiser and I hope people will vote for me.

Votes must be received before September 21, and more details are available at www.breakthrough.org.uk.