A CHARITY fundraiser will be held tomorrow (Friday) night in memory of a much-loved grandmother-of-nine who battled cancer for 12 years.

Margaret Warbrick died in October at the age of 66, and husband John has arranged the sell-out fundraiser in aid of Bury Hospice, where she received treatment.

The event has already proved hugely popular with friends of the former Dunelm seamstress, with £750 raised in ticket sales and another £1,500 expected on the night from an auction of sporting memorabilia.

Mr Warbrick, of Forth Road, Radcliffe, said: "Everyone has been absolutely brilliant, and so generous with us.

"There were so many people who knew and loved Margaret, and its wonderful to see that they all want to be a part of this event.

"Even though she had been through so many years of treatment, she would still be driving herself around, picking up the grandchildren, and then going to play football with them.

"The hospice said they have never seen a person go through so much and still be so well for such a long period of time.

"It was only in the last 12 months of her life that she really to deteriorate as the cancer spread to her stomach and her lungs and she suffered from osteoporosis.

"Nobody has ever know anyone like her. Anybody else would have died years before Margaret did after everything she went through."

Among the items up for auction will be boxing memorabilia signed by David Haye and Scott Quigg and a signed photo of the cast of Coronation Street, while local businesses have also donated more than 30 raffle prizes in memory of Margaret, who had two daughters and two step-sons.

Mr Warbrick added: "We could have sold out this fundraiser four times over because there were so many people who wanted to come.

"This is just a thank you to all of the good people at Bury Hospice who did so much for us.

"We have to think positively about life and to help create a really good legacy for Margaret, which she absolutely deserves."

The fundraiser is being held at Elton Liberal Club from 7.30pm on Friday.