A YOUNG woman’s fundraising efforts have won her an award from Earby Town Council.

After her father was diagnosed with cancer, Nicola Haines, 25, of Highfield Road, Earby, embarked on a campaign to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Her dad, Bob, was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx in February 2012, and had to endure weeks of radiotherapy treatment but has since made a full recovery.

“It just hit home when dad was diagnosed and I realised how much I wanted to do the fundraising,” said Nicola.

“Organising these events helped me to get through it, because my dad was so poorly.” Nicola has raised more than £7,000 by organising various fundraisers such as car boot sales, raffles and quiz nights at the Stone Trough in Kelbrook.

Bob, 57, a welder and fabricator, described Nicola’s fundraising efforts as brilliant and said he was proud of his daughter.

“Nicola’s been brilliant throughout this whole process,” said Bob. It makes me very tearful to know that’s she’s raised all that money.” But Nicola said: “My dad may be proud of me but words can’t explain how proud I am of him for tackling and fighting cancer the way he did, and giving up smoking after more than 40 years.”

Of the money raised, the lion’s share went to Macmillan and £1,000 went to Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends.

The fundraising campaign also included a 10-day trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, which Nicola did with 39 other Macmillan fundraisers in May. Walking the Inca Trail was amazing, apart from the camping,” said Nicola. “I’ve never been a camper.”

She said she was very pleased to receive the Shaw-Greening Award, which the town council bestows annually on a local young achiever.

“I didn’t know anything about it, so it was a complete shock,” said Nicola. “But it’s nice to be recognised.

“I had loads of support from my family, friends and the community and honestly I couldn’t have done it without them.

“My friend Stacey also helped me by taking part in numerous training walks.”