A former patient had an emotional reunion with the staff who cared for her as she handed over a cheque for nearly £8,000.

Sarah Day, 32 from Brentwood finished treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January 2017.

She said the care she received was “amazing” and wanted to do something to say thank you to the staff who had cared for her during her treatment.

Sarah raised £7,987 by holding a series of fundraising events including a coffee morning, a quiz night and a charity ball.

Two of Sarah’s friends also ran the Brentwood half marathon to help raise funds for the unit at Basildon Hospital.

Sarah said: “I had amazing care while I was here and walking back onto the unit today and seeing the faces of the staff who cared for me has been really emotional.

“I don’t mind what the money gets spent on as the staff know best, but I hope it helps them and helps the other patients who are treated on the unit.

“I would just like to say a huge thank you to every single person who has supported me, donated money, auction prizes and their time. People have been so generous, and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

As well as handing over the cheque on haematology day, Sarah was also able to ring the end of treatment bell.

Shane Brennan, is a nurse on the unit and had his back waxed in July to raise an additional £2,412 for the haematology charity pot.

Clair Grayston, from the hospital’s charity office, said: “Thank you so much to Sarah and Shane for their generosity and donating such a huge amount of money to the day unit. This is really going to go a long way in enhancing the care we provide to our haematology patients.”