A CANCER survivor from Weymouth has received a national award in recognition of her charity work.

Elaine Gardner, 56, from Reedling Close, picked up the ‘Achievement Award’ from the charity Beating Bowel Cancer at their annual ‘Patient Day’ on Saturday.

Elaine was presented with her award by best-selling author and Beating Bowel Cancer ambassador Freya North at the event, which took place at the Royal College of Surgeons in London.

The day is dedicated to bowel cancer patients and their families, who come together to hear the latest developments in the disease, attend workshops and meet others in similar situations.

Elaine was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2009.

Following the confirmation she decided that from that moment on she would wear her best clothes and high heels each day, put on her make-up to face the world and talk about her cancer.

She said: “I’m so proud to have received this award as it means so much to me to be able to help raise awareness of bowel cancer and help other patients to get diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

“l feel I am very, very lucky - I had an early diagnosis, an excellent surgeon and fantastic care, all under the NHS. That’s why I’m so keen to help Beating Bowel Cancer support other bowel cancer patients.”

Elaine said it was important to keep spirits up even when she was at her lowest ebb during her fight against the disease.

Elaine added: “Each time l went to chemotherapy l again made it a point to dress up and even wear my heels - however afraid l was and however rotten l felt when l came out.

“l always thought the cancer meant the end, but hopefully I’ve proved that’s not always the case. So if my efforts make even just one person think they`ll get themselves checked out, then it’s all worth it.”

Elaine was nominated for the award by Beating Bowel Cancer’s Health in the Workplace Coordinator, Nicola Keeble.

Nicola said: “Elaine has been involved with the charity as a constant for over four years. She fundraises and raises awareness in and around Weymouth and appears in the Health in the Workplace video.

“She has also helped patients through patient to patient support and has appeared in many stories in the media to promote the charity and bowel cancer awareness.

"In 2014 she received her five year all clear and she was very quick to tell us that it made her even more enthusiastic to continue supporting us.

“Elaine really is inspirational and truly deserves this award for all her efforts over the years and her remarkable, positive attitude.”