A mother-of-two diagnosed with terminal cancer has helped raise thousands of pounds for the hospice that has been helping her.

Jude Stokes from Brighton, 37, has been the inspiration behind a drive that has led to almost £6,000 being made for the Martlets Hospice in Hove.

This included a team of 50 relatives, friends and colleagues, called Jude’s Gems, taking part in the hospice’s annual Midnight Walk last month.

Mrs Stokes wasn’t well enough to take on the 13-mile walk herself but was there on the night to cheer the team on.

Mrs Stokes, a nurse at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, was diagnosed with gastric cancer at the end of last year and has been cared for at her home by the hospice team.

She said: “This service is invaluable and I can’t believe that it’s a charity.

“If we don’t help keep this service going by raising awareness and funds, people like me and my family won't benefit from the care, kindness and compassion that these very special hospice at home nurses supply.”

The next fundraiser will be a sponsored skydive later this year.

To support Mrs Stokes, visit justgiving.com/Jude-Stokes.