A FUNDRAISING event is being held in South Ockendon on Sunday for a woman who was told in January that she had a year to live.

Kelly Murray, 32, pictured, formerly from South Ockendon, but now living in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, has Langerhans cell histiocytosis 12 years ago, which causes abormal cells to spread around the body.

In January, doctors told the mother-of-two she’d have a year to live without a £130,000 operation in the USA.

Events are being held across the country to raise the cash and on Sunday, Kelly’s sister, Nikki Beer is holding a fun day at Thames Rugby Club, South Ockendon.

Nikki, Fullbrook Lane, South Ockendon, said: "In the past few months, Kelly’s gone from 11 stones to six. Unless we can raise the money she will die within four months. The condition is so rare that the operation hasn’t really been tried before, but it’s a bit like chemotherapy."

The event runs from 11am a until 5pm, with bouncy castles, face painting, fairground rides, a barbecue, raffle, tombola and beat the goalie competition.