A LUNG cancer patient has told how three young women organised a fundraising evening for her in York - without her having a clue.

Gill Taylor, who is 47 and from Skelton, York, said her daughter Rachel asked her to put on sunglasses painted black, so she was effectively blindfolded, and then taken to a mystery destination last Saturday night.

Then she was told to take the sunglasses off and was stunned to find she was at the Post Office Club in Marygate, where more than 120 family members, friends and well-wishers had gathered.

“I nearly jumped out of my skin,” she said.

“There were family members I hadn’t seen for years and old school friends. I couldn’t believe it.

“It was a complete surprise. I didn’t have a clue.

"They organised the whole thing without me knowing a thing.

“I was overwhelmed," she added.

"I wouldn’t have allowed it if I’d known.

"I don’t want anyone doing things for me but I can’t thank everyone enough.”

She said the evening, which raised £765, was organised by Charlene McQuade, Charlotte Wattling and Annabel Oldfield, whom she had known since they were little girls and were now in their late 20s.

“Young people get a bad press but these three are just so kind to have done this,” she said.

“Saying thank you is nowhere near enough but I mean it with all my heart.”

She said the event featured dancing by members of the Reflex dance club, including her daughter Rachel, games and a raffle.

Gill said she had never smoked in her life but had been diagnosed as suffering from lung cancer, which may have spread to her brain.

She said she had not been on holiday for several years, and would love to use some of the money to take Rachel away with her, although she said she also had bills to pay which had been mounting up since she became ill.

Gill told how she had recently heard from Charlene of another random act of kindness which also helped her keep faith in humanity.

“She was going away on holiday with her husband Dean and three children and went into a cafe while on their journey for a meal.

“When Dean went to pay, they said he didn’t have to, as a complete stranger had seen the family, liked how they had conducted themselves and paid the entire amount!”