AN urgent campaign to help a journalist from Bury receive the life-saving treatment she needs has been boosted by a host of famous faces.

Stars have flocked to the aid of Amy Watts, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in August and desperately needs surgery to save her life.

The 37-year-old, who grew up in Brandlesholme but has been living in Los Angeles, had been having chemotherapy every two weeks to try and shrink the tumours.

She was due to have an operation to cut out the cancer - which is 'stage four' and has already spread to her liver, in December - but US doctors told her there was nothing more they could do.

Doctors at the private Spire Hospital in Leeds have given Amy a second opinion and are going perform two operations, the first in February, which will cost a total of £70,000.

Last week, Amy’s friends and family rallied round to raise £100,000 for her medical costs, after care and living expenses through the Hold Amy’s Hand campaign.

Sally Edwards, a counsellor from Ramsbottom, has been best friends with Amy and two other women – Paula Webb, who also lives in Ramsbottom, and Samantha Lindley, who lives in Brandlesholme – since they all attended Woodbank Primary School together.

Sally, aged 37, of Simms Close, Ramsbottom, said: “Spire in Leeds think there is a chance to save Amy’s life but we need to move fast.

“This really is her only lifeline, the last hope – that is how desperate this situation is.

“Amy is incredibly grateful for the generous donations she has received from celebrities, her friends, family and perfect strangers.

“Every donation is wonderful and it has been amazing to see friends from school we have not spoken to for years but who remember Amy get back in touch to offer support.

“We are asking the fantastic folk of Bury to get behind our girl and give her the chance she needs.”

To date, the Hold Amy’s Hand appeal has already raised more than £50,000.

Amy, who attended Elton High School and Stand College in Whitefield, is now back in the UK and will soon move back to Brandlesholme before beginning her treatment.

The journalist began her career as a showbiz and entertainment news columnist for the Daily Star in London before taking on more senior positions and then moving to LA to work for the Daily Mail.

Celebrities including Simon Cowell, Kylie Minogue, David Beckham, Noel Gallagher, Piers Morgan, Dean Gaffney, Ronan Keating and Susan Boyle showed either support on Twitter or offered donations.

Matt Goss, who was lead singer of 1980s pop group Bros, has also this week performed an exclusive fundraising show for Amy at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

An abseil down Peel Tower is also taking place in aid of Holding Amy’s Hand on February 28. To take part: call Sally on 07817480901.

To make a donation or find out more about the appeal: go to holdamyshand.com, search Hold Amy’s Hand on Facebook or follow @Holdamyshand on Twitter.