BUDDING bakers at a housing group have raised more than £300 in honour of a colleague from Tottington who has recovered from a serious brain tumour.

Staff at Salford-based Salix Homes took part in a ‘Great Salix Homes Bake Off’ event to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity, after income manager Sharon Simmonds was diagnosed with a brain tumour three years ago.

Sharon, aged 48, organised the cake baking fundraiser and a raffle as she wanted to give back to the charity which helped save her life.

She had feared the worst after being told by staff at Salford Royal Hospital that her tumour was the biggest they had ever seen.

She said: “In February 2011, I collapsed and was found to have a large brain tumour. It was life threatening - the largest tumour they had seen and my family were all told to say their goodbyes to me.

“Thankfully, through the fantastic expertise of the surgeons there, they operated on me and managed to successfully remove all of the tumour.

"I am so grateful to the hospital and for the fantastic support I got from my family, friends and colleagues at Salix Homes - everyone was truly amazing."

“I am so thankful to be alive and really believe that we should all live life to the full because you never know what’s round the corner.”

Sharon, who still has to undergo regular scans to ensure the tumour has not returned, added: “I have been truly overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and enthusiasm for getting involved. Hopefully, the money raised will go some way to ensuring that lives can continue to be saved.”

The ‘bake off’ and a raffle raised £303.89.

Salix Homes manages 8,500 properties across central Salford.

The Brain Tumour Charity carries out research into tumours and treatments and provides support for patients and their families. For further information: go to www.thebraintumourcharity.org