A CANCER survivor couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw her prize – a £5,500 dream bathroom fitted into her West Bank home.

Widnes mum Brenda Jacobs, aged 57, was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year and lost her partner of 20 years, Stephen Lightfoot in March.

Her daughter, Samantha, aged 34, nominated her for a ‘community giveaway’ competition supplied by Widnes tradesmen.

Samantha, from Halton View, said: “My mum had a tumour removed last year. Before that she was a carer for my 90-year-old gran, Jean Pilkington until she moved into a care home.

“I had appendicitis and was in hospital so she was worried about me. Then we lost my step dad suddenly. He was a taxi driver and paid the mortgage. My mum was struggling financially and started work in a care home.

“I thought it was a fantastic idea that these tradesmen were offering this prize.

“They’ve worked really hard.”

Brenda added: “It’s absolutely gorgeous. I’m made up."

The competition was the brainchild of Widnes dad-of-two Michael Blair, who runs his own company Supreme Bathrooms & Tiling Limited.

Michael, who lives with his partner, Emma, aged 24, and sons Ryan, aged five, and nine-month-old Ollie in Halton View, said:”People think money creates happiness but I think good gestures create happiness.

“I want to give something back. We received over 100 applications. We were looking for people in need. I’m going to make this an annual competition.

“I’d like to thank all the lads who pulled together to help me.”

Electrician Stu Gaffney of Red Lec, Gavin Conroy and Gary Middlehurst of EGC Plastering and plumbers Liam Smith and Paul Hunt of Atmosphere Insulation and Michael's apprentice Jordan Clayton gave up their time.

City Plumbing donated the bathroom suite, Tanhouse Tiles supplied tiles and David Wheeler of Treadwell Carpets fitted a bedroom carpet.