A CANCER patient has created a recipe book to raise money for a hospital on the first anniversary of her first appointment.

Janet Aspinall, from Bury, went to her first chemotherapy appointment at the Churchill Unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital last year after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

In an effort to bring some cheer to the ward, the 61-year-old brought with her some homemade biscuits to share around.

And now, a year after completing her breast cancer treatment, she and her brother Michael decided to make a recipe book to raise money for the unit.

Mrs Aspinall said she brought in home baking on each of her chemo appointments and not only did the staff patients and visitors enjoy her offerings but they also brought in some baking as well.

She said: "When I had my new patient talk, I was told the first rule of chemotherapy is don’t stop baking.

"I did exactly that — never stopped baking and it helped me enormously. It gives you something to think about apart from the chemotherapy."

The book contains recipes with photographs supplied by patients, staff and visitors and also include personal introductions.

After completing her treatment, Ms Aspinall said cooking has remained her focus.

She said: "Baking and eating is a sharing experience and this is such a wonderful small unit. It is like meeting friends and family over a cup of tea and cake."

Andy Lee, fundraiser at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, described the book as a great way of supporting the unit.

He said: "Janet and Michael have been very generous in developing the book. It’s particularly nice to have involved other patients as well as staff and visitors."

Copies of the book cost £5 plus any postage charges and are available by emailing andy.lee@boltonft.nhs.uk