Sue Chaloner, 53, of Brentwood Road, Blacon, was 'overwhelmed' to receive the Macmillan Gold Long Service Award for 15 years of volunteering at a recent ceremony.

Sue, who began volunteering after she lost her father to lung cancer 16 years ago and her sister to breast cancer 14 years ago, went to a hotel to pick up the award.

She said: "Words can't even say how I felt. I was just overwhelmed, and when I had to stand up my legs were like jelly."

Sue, who homes three cockateels, two budgies, an african grey parrot, three cats and three goldfish, has been raising money for more than 15 years.

Now Sue is trying to raise up to £700 for children from Brentwood Road, Blacon, to go on a trip to Blackpool.

She said: "The road has had a lot of bad publicity, so I'm raising it for the children to be able to go to Blackpool."

Sue's next charity event is the Great Escape North West, run by Macmillan Cancer Support and with her fundraising partner Sue Cook will "escape" from HM Walton Prison in Liverpool and be taken to a secret location.

They will then have the task of finding their own way back to the Picture House in Liverpool.

If you can help by sponsoring Sue, you can call her on 01244 372752 or email her at suechaloner@hotmail.co.uk