THE loved ones and friends of a Creekmoor mother-of-one have raised over £1,500 in her memory for two cancer charities.

Janice White, 67, died in January just seven months after her diagnosis with lung cancer, having worked in the Co-operative Food store in Creekmoor Lane for over 30 years before she became ill.

Regular customers to the store were among the 400-strong crowd who attended her funeral at Poole Crematorium, with her family asking for donations to the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF) to help other cancer suffers in the county, which totalled £795.

Her husband, Bill, said: "Our daughter Marie and I are both still shattered by Janice's death, but we know she would have been over the moon to know she is still helping others."

Joanne Galway, a close friend and co-worker of Janice said: "Janice was devastated when her health forced her to reduce her hours at work - she had been at the Co-op for 30 years and absolutely loved her job and the customers loved her.

"Losing her so quickly has been terrible for all the staff and the customers. She was also first in line to help a good cause and over the years had helped to raise money for so many local charities.

"I know she would have been very proud at the amount of money raised in her memory. As well as the money raised for Dorset Cancer Care

Foundation, the shop staff have also raised £765 for Sandbanks Ward at Poole Hospital, where she was being cared for when she died."

The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation was set up in 2012 by a group of residents to provide practical help for people and families affected by cancer.

Every penny raised by the charity stays in the area and helps fund individual grants for anything from a new specialist bed to a wig following chemotherapy, childcare for someone undergoing treatment and even hospital car parking.

Chris Thomas, chairman of DCCF, said: "Our work depends completely on fundraising and the generosity of people like Janice White and her family and friends.

"Janice was obviously a much-loved lady and her kindness will offer comfort to many local people who are suffering from cancer."

For more information on the work of the charity, how to donate and to find out about fundraising, go to Dccf.co.uk