When Sue Rana was forced to take time off work after being diagnosed with breast cancer, her NHS colleagues wanted to make sure she knew they were thinking of her.

Instead of sending flowers and a card, the primary care trust workers pulled on their walking boots to raise cash for a cancer charity.

More than 30 health workers at Bradford and Airedale Primary Care Trusts took part in a six mile sponsored walk in Haworth, and raised a total of £3,000 for Bradford Cancer Support's Daisy Appeal.

The appeal is raising £1.1 million to build a new headquarters in Smith Lane, Bradford.

The walk was organised by Helen Stansfield, Jennifer Woodcock and Claire Matthews, who all work for Bradford City Substance Misuse Service, where Mrs Rana is a senior drug dependency worker.

Mrs Rana, who has just returned to work following surgery and radiotherapy, said: "This is the first time our team has organised anything like this and I think it has been absolutely brilliant."

Mrs Rana, of Shipley, was diagnosed with breast cancer after going for a routine mammogram in February.

Two weeks later she was recalled for a second examination as something suspicious had been spotted.

Mrs Rana said: "I thought it would be a cyst because I did not feel ill. Even the consultant could not feel a lump and there was nothing that I thought was not normal."

The second mammogram was followed by an ultrasound and three biopsies before Mrs Rana was given the news.

"A whole new world suddenly opened up," she said.

"I had always been very anti-radiotherapy but the day before I was going in for the operation a programme about breast cancer treatment in Bradford was shown on Panorama and made me realise the importance of radiotherapy."

She had surgery and even went back to work before taking four weeks off for a course of radiotherapy at Cookridge Hospital.

"There are no clear cut guarantees but I feel fine now," she added.

"This is why breast screening is so important. I was lucky the cancer was detected quickly.

"Breast screening is an opportunity we have and every woman who is invited should take it up."

After her treatment, Mrs Rana even bumped into the person who carried out her mammogram and was able to thank them for detecting the lump.

And as for her colleagues she has nothing but admiration. "They organised the walk while I was having the operation as they wanted to do something to show they cared.

"I still find it really touching that they did that to show their support for me. Now I'm just glad to be back at work - I really enjoy it and I am hoping to move forward now."

e-mail: claire.lomax@bradford.newsquest.co.uk