A DETERMINED Bournemouth mum diagnosed with terminal cancer has made a heartfelt plea for help as she launches an appeal to fund radical treatment.

Sheila Kelly has undergone a catalogue of operations and treatments, including taking part in a clinical trial which almost killed her, since being diagnosed with a kidney tumour five years ago.

Now she has declared she is “not ready to lie down and die.”

Her positive attitude and strength has amazed doctors who find it hard to believe she looks so incredibly well and is getting on with her life.

But the discovery of multiple tumours on her pancreas and kidneys in recent weeks means mum-of-two Sheila has been told that there is no available treatment she can access at present.

Thorough research uncovered a treatment known as Stereotactic Radiotherapy which has been used successfully to treat tumours in the UK, US and Europe.

Unfortunately Sheila is unable to access this treatment in the UK. It costs £60,000.

Sheila’s daughters, Hannah, 20, and 17-year-old Niamh, along with her husband Tristan, are now backing her Go Fund Me page, which raised an impressive £3,000 in its first two days of existence.

In a message to supporters, Sheila, 50, said: “This is not a pity me post, it really is a call for help and it could help save my life.

“This is difficult for me because I am fiercely independent.

“I absolutely love life and I want to see my daughters flourish, I want to see them get married and have their own families - all the things we humans often take for granted. This is the stuff of dreams for people like me living with stage 4 metastatic kidney cancer.”

Sheila, who lives in Southbourne, was first diagnosed five years ago and had major surgery. After the operation she was told the cancer was gone and she raised thousands of pounds for kidney cancer charities by holding vintage afternoon teas in her garden.

But a routine check in January 2017 revealed numerous tumours and life since then has been a rollercoaster of hospital stays and numerous related health issues including liver problems and osteoporosis.

Tragically both of Sheila’s parents and her brother have died since her original diagnosis, leading to a tough time for the entire family.

Following the death of her parents, Sheila started a business called These 4 Walls, offering companionship to the elderly. The business has since been passed on to Hannah. She also used to work in Baby Ballet and in beauty therapy.

Speaking of the appeal, Sheila said: “I know it’s a huge amount of money but I simply have to try and I cannot do it on my own.

“I am not giving upon my precious life.

“There is an urgency about this as I am in danger of a tumour growing into the arteries and then I’m in big trouble.

“My family have endured so much heartache over recent years and I don’t want to add to it.”

n Anyone who can donate to the appeal should go to gofundme.com/letshelpsheila?member=793430