A MUM-of-two has received the devastating news that she has 12 months to live, just months after being diagnosed with bone marrow leukaemia.

In January, 55-year-old Elaine Wainwright was shocked when doctors told her they could not cure the disease.

The nursery staff member, from Great Sankey, was due to get married that month but all plans were put on hold following her diagnosis the previous October.

Vicky Greenfield, Elaine's friend and colleague at Little Treasures Nursery, explained: "Last year she started getting sore legs and just generally wasn't herself.

"She started bruising and went for blood tests.

"When they didn't show anything she was sent for bone marrow tests."

The tests revealed the cancer and Elaine underwent her first series of intense chemotherapy in November, which meant a six-week stay at Whiston Hospital under observation.

Vicky said: "The doctors had kept coming to her asking if she felt alright.

"She said she felt like a fraud because she felt fine.

"They really tried to get her out of hospital for Christmas and she went home on December 23.

"When she went back to hospital on January 2 and they asked how she was feeling, she said great.

"That's when they said told her there was nothing more they could do.

Warrington Guardian:

"It was worse than they initially thought.

"They can't cure it, it's just trying to prolong her life now.

"It's something that we've all been touched by at the nursery."

Little Treasures Nursery has organised a sponsored walk on Saturday, February 29, to try and help Elaine fund alternative medicine.

They also want to show their support to the family, including Elaine's children, aged 27 and 29.

Vicky said: "There's 26 of us who are going to walk from Whiston Hospital to Warrington Hospital.

"We are just wanting to do something to raise a bit of money.

"We are going to do it whatever the weather- it's nothing compared to what she is going through.

"She is an amazing lady who has worked all her life and brought up her two amazing children, now adults, on her own.

"She really is a great person and both myself and her raised money for Kirsty Mcdonald a few years ago."

Kirsty, from Orford, battled cervical cancer, and will be showing her support for Elaine by joining in the walk.

The sponsorship target was originally set at £1,000 but this has already been reached.

A new target has been increased to £1,500.

Visit gofundme.com/f/8m7f3-elaine if you would like to donate.