BECKY Peace's life was thrown into turmoil when she was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager.

After being given the all clear - and going on to complete a Masters degree - 22-year-old Becky and her family have thrown a ball in York to raise £15,000 for the charity which supported her through her illness.

The Teenage Cancer Trust helped to fund the specialist unit for teenagers at St James' Hospital in Leeds, where Becky underwent eight months of treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Her friends and fellow cancer survivors from the ward, Megan Beeken and Josh Parker, were special guests at The Sunshine Ball at York Racecourse.

Sue Peace, Becky's mum and an organiser of the event, said: "After Becky was diagnosed she was treated at the unit. It was for 13 to 18-year-olds and because they could bond and talk with each other it made a dreadful situation a little bit more bearable.

"I was really overwhelmed by the generosity of people at the ball. It's my way of saying thank you for all the treatment Becky received when she was ill. I feel humbled by the whole experience.

"To raise such a staggering amount is such a wonderful feeling."

Sue said that of the ten teenagers diagnosed and at the unit in January 2008, Becky is the only survivor.

Becky, of Copmanthorpe, was diagnosed with cancer as she was preparing for her GCSEs at the age of 15.

She underwent eight months of treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, spending a long spell in hospital.

Becky won the Spirit Of Youth Award in the The Press Community Pride Awards after acting as a champion for other sufferers of cancer and was honoured with a Diana Award for her incredible positivity.

She went on to raise some £5,000 for cancer charities, even running in the Race for Life the day she finished chemotherapy, and gaining outstanding GCSE results.

Becky has since completed a degree in psychology and a masters in health psychology and is heading off to travel around Australia before returning for work.

Her father Andy and brothers James and Mike attended the ball along with guest of honour Harry Gration.

Becky said: "It was absolutely brilliant, it could not have gone better."