FROM the promise of Spice Girls memorabilia to a donation of £120 from Monmouth Post Office, gifts and donations have been coming in thick and fast for Annastarzzia Dickenson, the fifteen year old Monmouth Comprehensive pupil who has Hodgkin Lymphoma.

And it was certainly a case of Girl Power joining with Beacon power as readers flocked to help the plucky teenager.

Annastarzzia's mum, Lisa Anne said they had been overwhelmed by the response to the report published in the Beacon recently, in which she appealed for help towards funding a special diet and complementary therapies to help keep the cancer at bay.

"It's been absolutely amazing - we must have had about 40 to 50 people call or e-mails us, with offers of donations and to help sell tickets for the raffle we are organising."

Among them was a call from Sporty Spice, Mel C, who said she would be more than happy to help in any way.

Mel lives in the Wye Valley with her partner of six years, Thomas Starr. The couple recently announced that they are to become delighted parents for the first time.

Mel commented "It's very happy news, Tom and I are really delighted".

Diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2007, Annastarzzia has had to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy for a second time as the cancer was re-diagnosed three months after the first course of treatment.

Her relentless courage and optimism has touched not just her family and friends but all who have read or heard about her determination to live a healthy and happy life,

"We've had an astronomical number of calls from people who know us and from people we have never met," said Lisa Anne. "We've had loads of people offering to sell raffle tickets, which is what we really need; we've had people offering gifts, such as a day's fishing and a day on a farm; Paul Jarrold has made a substantial donation and Monmouth Post Office has donated £120; people have been sending in cheques; we've had people calling us to wish us luck and people ringing to say they have been affected by cancer and have been inspired by reading about the raw food diet and vitamin diet on our website; others have been buying the candles Annie makes to help raise money.

"It's just been overwhelming."

Raffle prizes donated range from an Elvis Presley album with his signature on it to photographs of the legendary 1966 England World Cup heroes; famous names lending their support include Elton John and Kylie Minogue .

"I would just like to thank everyone who has come forward with offers of help.' added Lisa Anne.

"We've been really touched by the response to the Beacon article," she added.