A MOTHER who has devoted her spare time to a breast care charity has been nominated for a national award.

Carole Nunn, 57, a volunteer for the Mid-Kent Breast Cancer Research Appeal, has been short-listed for the Avon Breast Cancer Award in the volunteer category.

The award has been launched to mark the 10th anniversary of Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Mrs Nunn was nominated by her husband, Terry.

Mrs Nunn of Bush Road, Cuxton, near Rochester, said: "I feel very honoured, but to be nominated for this award is an acknowledgement of all the hard work of the charity. It has been a joint effort through and through."

Mrs Nunn began fighting for the breast cancer cause when she was diagnosed with the disease 1995. It began with a routine visit to the Well Woman clinic.

Mrs Nunn, who has worked at the evening centre of the Medway Community Centre in Strood for 21 years, said: "After a year I had begun to make a full recovery. I was so grateful I wanted to say a big thank you to Maidstone hospital."

At a coffee morning Mrs Nunn raised £320 in two hours. She said: "When I had raised the money I knew I wanted to donate it to breast cancer care but I didn't know who to approach. A breast cancer nurse at Maidstone Hospital told me that Peter Jones, the consultant and surgeon, had just set up a fundraising committee for breast cancer."

The hard work of Mrs Nunn, a voluntary administrator and fundraiser, and the team at the Mid-Kent Breast Cancer Research Appeal has paid off. The charity has part-funded a Prone Biopsy Scanner and the cost of the staff to operate it and a hand-held ultra sound scanner. They are now looking into new ways of funding developments in breast cancer research and treatment.

Mrs Nunn stressed: "Our work will hopefully go towards a faster diagnosis of breast cancer. The quicker the disease is discovered the more effectively it can be treated."

The award winners will be announced at the Le Meridian Hotel, London, on October 31.