AN UNEXPECTED windfall from a pensioner has left a cancer charity with thousands of pounds.

Mabel Wilson, of Hobb Lane in Daresbury, bequeathed £184,000 from the sale of her estate to the North West Cancer Research Fund when she died, five years ago, aged 84.

Due to the lengthy process of probate, the charity has only just received the money.

Miss Wilson, who lived with her parents until they died around 20 years ago, left her 10 cousins 50 per cent of the proceeds from her estate.

The cancer charity received a portion of the remaining 50 per cent along with two other major charities.

John Lewys-Lloyd, chairman of the NWCRF said: "Income from legacies is very important to us. Without it, much less research takes place.

"We are so grateful to Mabel for her generosity."

The NWCRF is an independent regional charity which was founded in 1948.

Throughout its 57-year history, an average of 90p in every pound raised is spent directly on research.

The charity makes £750,000 available every year for fundamental research into the causes of cancer, and virtually all of the money is raised through voluntary efforts, donations and legacies.

The NWCRF has 41 fundraising committees over the north west and Wales, another of which is currently being set up in Warrington.

Anne Jackson, the marketing executive for the charity, is looking for volunteers to join her in fundraising. If you can help call Anne on 0151 709 2919 or email nwcrf@btclick.com

sharker@guardiangrp.co.uk