Charity in the pink

But she is now just weeks away from getting the all clear after undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and has joined forces with two close friends to organise a fund-raising ball for local and national cancer charities.

Charlotte, from Worthing, said: "The diagnosis came as a real shock, but once I got over the initial surgery and treatment I wanted to bring something positive out of the whole experience.

"When you talk about cancer, there are just so many people touched by it."

Charlotte and friends Lisa Kenna and Martine Penn have organised The Pink and Purple Ball to take place at the Grand Hotel in Brighton on October 11.

They have already raised nearly 5,000, which will be split between St Barnabas' Hospice and the West Sussex Breast Care Centre, based at Worthing Hospital, but hope the ball will raise even more cash.

Charlotte, who works as a solicitor and has a daughter aged 10 and a seven-year-old son, said: "We wanted it pink and purple themed because pink represents the colour of breast cancer awareness month and purple is the colour of The Lavender Trust, which is a charity for women under 50 who have breast cancer.

"I want the ball to raise money for the cancer charities and raise the profile of breast cancer awareness month. The only thing I would say to women who find a lump is to get it checked out quickly. Don't think 'I'll go to the doctors next week when I'm not so busy'."

The ball, which looks set to be one of the biggest the Grand hosts this year, has the support of the Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Blair.

She sent a pink and purple outfit down to be auctioned at the event.

The ball will also raise funds for The Sussex Cancer Centre, based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and The Lavender Trust.

Local businesses have thrown their support behind the event, with a Worthing firm donating a two-week break away to Majorca.

Tickets are limited. E-mail [email protected] for information.