THE husband and mother of a 30-year-old terminally ill cancer patient from Saltash have been praising the efforts of her friends whose campaign is helping to pay her medical bills.

Gemma Kerswell, who was first diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in 2008, was told in January 2011 that she may have only six months left to live.

While on a family holiday of a lifetime to Disneyland, Florida, just before Christmas, she was struck down with pneumonia and hospitalised.

Although unable to get insurance cover because of her condition, Gemma still went ahead with the trip as at the time she felt well enough. She wanted to fulfill her dream of swimming with dolphins, and also to create some special memories for her family, which includes her two young stepsons, Nathan and Ben.

Gemma now has an £11,000 hospital bill, with doctors' fees still to come which could add many thousands more to the total. Worrying about the cost of her treatment, Gemma had discharged herself after three days in the Celebration Hospital.

Since her arrival home on January 9, a group of friends and family known as Team Kerswell, who originally formed to help Gemma make the most of her life, has launched a strong campaign to raise the money to pay the bill with donations already reaching £5,000.

Dave Kerswell, Gemma's husband, said the first bill of £11,000 will be reduced to £5,000 if paid within 17 days, so thanks to the efforts of Team Kerswell that can now be paid in full next week. 'We are absolutely amazed what people are doing to help,' he said.

Dave said Gemma has many friends and everyone who knows her loves her. 'Gemma lives every day as if it is her last,' he said. 'She is  a positive-thinking girl. We support her but she also supports us, keeping us going. She is the strongest person I know.'

Gemma's mum, Linda Ellis from Hatt, near Saltash, said: 'All the family have been overwhelmed by the fantastic reaction to what has happened. In many cases people we don't even know have helped us.

'Gemma is so strong and determined to live her life to the full. She is so positive which has made it easier for all of us.'

Dave, who married Gemma in 2010, said that while on holiday Gemma had a head cold but was unable to cope with a weather condition called 'Florida Freeze,' when the temperature suddenly plummets.

'It knocked her sideways,' he said.

Team Kerslake is continuing fundraising with a walk/run in Central Park, Plymouth on Sunday, February 5, meeting at Home Park at 10am. For more information the website is: http://www.teamkerswell.com">www.teamkerswell.com