South Shields gran facing second cancer battle after diagnosis just days after granddaughter's birth

The 61-year-old, who lives on the Holder House estate in South Shields, was first told she had ovarian cancer six years ago and was given the all-clear after a major operation and six cycles of chemotherapy.

But in April this year, just days after she and husband Robert, 65, became grandparents to Cora, she was given the news the disease had returned.

Christine, who is mum to Robert, 39, and Christopher, 35, has since undergone surgery and is now on a programme of chemotherapy which will last until November, with two sessions done and four more to go through the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead.

Since her first cancer fight, she has held an annual coffee morning at in Whiteleas, where she is originally from, to raise funds for Macmillian, but because she is unwell and due to coronavirus restrictions, she is unable to hold the event.

Instead, with her treatment causing her hair to fall out, she decided to shave it off to help collect cash for Target Ovarian Cancer, with more £1,060 already raised for the charity.

Hannah Craxford, 26, Robert Jnr’s fiancee who works at Helrazors at the Nook, helped with the haircut.

Robert Snr, who works for Booker cash and carry, said: “I am so proud that despite Christine being in the middle of her fight to beat this disease again she is still thinking of others who are going through a similar ordeal and wants to help as much as she can.

"She is a brave brave woman.

"She’s doing ok, but finding it hard to go through the chemotherapy.

"Our beautiful granddaughter Cora was the best pick me up Christine could have wished for.”

Christine, who worked at Woolworths in South Shields and is now retired, has urged anyone who would like to back her appeal to donate directly to the charity.

More about the work of the charity and details about how to make a pledge can be found through its website https://www.targetovariancancer.org.uk/.

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