Sixth-former aims to raise £5,000

Sixth-former Sammy-Jo Scammell is set to stage a range of events to help her reach her target.

The 17-year-old, from Fishersgate, chose to raise money for charity Breast Cancer Care after mum Maria, 35, was diagnosed with the illness in 2003.

Sammy-Jo said: "She endured a hard year of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, through which she was incredibly brave and kept smiling on even the hardest days of the treatment.

"Thankfully, she no longer has the cancer and her courage is such an inspiration to me. She really is a wonder woman."

Sammy-Jo attends King's Manor Community College, Shoreham, and said the school had been supportive of her fund-raising.

Fellow student Tom Pearson volunteered to have his legs waxed to help get the campaign up and running, raising around 200.

"We did it at the beginning of the month and the hair has just started to grow back. He is complaining about how itchy it is," said Sammy-Jo.

A darts tournament, at the former St Peter's Church, Southwick, raised 160 for the fund.

On Monday, Sammy-Jo was joined by friends for a sponsored marathon with a twist, which involved their watching the first two seasons of television drama Lost in one sitting '“ a total of 36 hours of TV.

Sammy-Jo said she had plenty of other fund-raising ideas up her sleeve.

"When the weather clears up a bit, we are going to do a big sponsored walk between Worthing and Brighton piers and, at Christmas, we are going to do a 'womanless' fashion show at school.

"Lots of the male staff and sixth-formers are going to dress up. It will be fun."

Proud mum Maria said: "I think it is brilliant. She has done it all off her own bat. Even if she raises a thousand pounds, it would be fantastic."

Sammy-Jo has set up a fund-raising website to help her with her challenge. For more information and updates, people can visit the site www.justgiving.com/sammystarget