'This isn't for me, it is for Laura and young people in hospitals'.

Byline: By JOANNE DOUGLAS News Reporter

A MOTHER hopes to be named as Britain's most inspirational fundraiser so that young cancer patients can benefit.

Jacquie Roeder is the mother of teenager Laura Crane, who died in May, 1996, after losing her battle against cancer.

She founded the Laura Crane Trust in her daughter's memory and has since raised more than pounds 1m to help support cancer patients aged 13-24.

Mrs Roeder is now asking people to nominate her for the prize, so Laura's trust can benefit from the pounds 20,000 awarded to the winner.

The trust would use the money to develop a virtual Chat World for patients who may be lonely or feel isolated as they undergo treatment in hospital.

Mrs Roeder, 62, said: "This isn't for me. It is for Laura's trust and all the young people in the hospitals.

"There is a lot going into services for adults and children who have cancer, but nothing for the people in the middle, teenagers and young people.

"I had the idea for the charity the day after she died and someone said to me that I shouldn't do it because it would take me a couple of years to get over losing Laura.

"Well you can never come to terms with losing a child, so the charity was set up."

Laura was just 17 when she died. She was treated at St James' Hospital in Leeds, where she was put on an adult ward where she felt alone.

Mrs Roeder added: "Laura was put on a ward with adults. It was no place for a teenager to be; it wasn't appropriate.

"It was lonely and there was nothing for her to do except read a few magazines and watch TV.

"Nowthings are different for cancer patients her age and I ampleased thatwe have been able to help make that difference."

The trust has used the money they have raised to pay for research into the types of cancer that patients aged 13-24 are diagnosed with.

The trust has also provided games consoles, DVD players and films, music, musical instruments and even a fish tank to hospital wards treating young cancer patients, as well as funding an activity coordinator at St James' Hospital and at Weston Park in Sheffield.

With more than 2000 teenagers living with cancer in the UK, and six diagnosed every week with some form of cancer the trust wants to be able to help as many people as they can.

As Laura underwent treatment she worked as a volunteer at Kirkwood Hospice, helping other people in their final days.

"I think Laura is so proud we have been able to help so many people and proud of what we have achieved," Mrs Roeder added.

"She's never far away. She was a very compassionate person, I think that had she lived she would have done something like this herself.

"I always stayed positive. Laura was invincible; every time she was down she'd get back up and carry on.

"It has been an emotional rollercoaster, it is a two-edged sword. On the one hand I am keeping a link with Laura and on the other I am reminded every single day that she died."

To nominate Mrs Roeder and the Laura Crane Trust visit www.everyclick.com and click on the Help us find Britain's most inspiring fundraiser link.

CAPTION(S):

FOUNDER: Jacquie Roeder, of The Laura Crane Trust