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Sharon Oakes in the Britannia with staff members Brendon Faller and Sam Kerry

The fundraising work of an Oxford pub, which has raised more than £1,100 for a breast cancer charity, has been praised by a former sufferer.

Staff at the Britannia, in London Road, Headington, staged a variety of events throughout March to collect cash for Against Breast Cancer.

And Didcot mum-of-two Sharon Oakes, who twice overcame breast cancer and now volunteers for the charity, has commended the pub for its efforts.

Mrs Oakes, 44, was first diagnosed with cancer in 1993, aged 29.

She said: "I'd lost some weight and found a lump.

"I went for some tests and I was told I had it - it came like a bolt out of the blue."

After treatment at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, where Mrs Oakes had a lumpectomy followed by six sessions of chemotherapy and extensive radiotherapy, the cancer went into remission.

But 10 years later, the illness returned and she decided to have a mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery in January 2004.

Mrs Oakes said: "Against Breast Cancer needs every penny it can get for the research it does into diet, lifestyle and genetics.

"The pub has done a brilliant job to raise more than £1,000 and their posters have raised awareness with their customers.

"A lot of people think it is a middle-aged person's disease and they need to be made aware that it can affect anybody at any age.

"When people like Linda McCartney and Kylie Minogue get diagnosed with breast cancer I think you take more notice and it makes people think when they see it happen to people like that.

"The best thing is to be breast aware.

"You should start checking for lumps every month and, if you find anything, get it checked out as soon as possible. It's better to be safe than sorry.

"The support you get in Oxford at the John Radcliffe is great and the support teams are lovely, so no-one should be afraid about seeking help.

"At Against Breast Cancer, there is always someone at the end of the phone and they have regular magazines they send out."

Over Easter, the Britannia held a 48-hour sponsored sofa-sit, during which at least one member of staff at a time braved snow and rain to sit on a settee outside the pub all weekend.

A ladies' night and raffle was also held, and in March, 5p from every glass of rosé sold was donated to the charity.

Assistant manager Sam Kerry said: "The month has gone really well and we still have a few more quizzes to do and sponsorship money to collect. All the staff and our regular customers have got behind us and really given us their support."

4:15pm Tuesday 1st April 2008

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