A FRIEND of a woman at the centre of a community campaign after a terminal cancer diagnosis is doing her bit to help a cause which helped her mate.

Maria Bowley, from Tadley, has been friends for almost a decade with Gemma Kent, who last year was the subject of the Hope for Gemma campaign which raised tens of thousands of pounds.

Gemma Kent, a mother-of-three from Tadley who was diagnosed with terminal liver and pancreatic cancer in May last year, at the age of 41 with the campaign set up to allow her to have life-extending treatment to give her the chance to spend more time with her children.

Gemma continues to receive treatment, but over the past year, family and friends have come into contact with St Michael's Hospice and the work that it does for those diagnosed with terminal illness and their loved ones.

Now, as a way of giving back to the hospice, Maria has set up a family fun day full of luxury to be held at Wokefield Estate, near Mortimer, on June 22.

Maria said: "St Michael's Hospice has helped Gemma a lot. We didn't realise how much they did for people and how the £5m they need a year for what they do.

"There is still such an idea around hospices about what they do and it being all about death, but they do so much more than that with those diagnosed but also people close to them.

"So I wanted to give something back to the hospice.

"Daniel Reid at Wokefield Estate has been wonderful. I wouldn't have been able to do this all without him."

The event, which begins at 7pm, will include a free welcome drink, a luxury barbecue, selfie machine, photo booth, a medium, a magician and a DJ.

There will also be a raffle and a silent auction.

All those taking part have offered their services for free while Maria is also looking for someone to provide a giant inflatables and a bouncy castle, as well as any prizes for the raffle and silent auction.

Tickets cost £25 per person.

To book or offer a service for the day, email mariab2206@gmail.com.

For more information about the day, search for 'Luxury Community Fundraiser 4 St Michaels Hospice' on Facebook.