DO you fancy singing on stage in a cabaret spectacular? The organiser of a special show - part of a £1million fundraising campaign for a cancer unit - is seeking singers and dancers, both adults and children, to take part.

Jacqui Drake, who has stage 4 skin cancer, has already raised £117,232 for her appeal and has launched a year of events to boost it even further.

The aim is to raise £1m for the Leeds Cancer Centre, the Bexley Wing of St James’s Hospital in Leeds where Jacqui has treatment. "Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way," says Jacqui, 55, of Apperley Bridge. "I want to furnish the centre with the things the NHS doesn't provide - the touches that make it homely, like soft furnishings and overnight items for relatives staying with patients.

“I’ve been treated there for 10 years by amazing doctors, nurses, surgeons and oncologists. Now it's my turn to give something back.”

Adds Jacqui: “People are frightened to talk about cancer. I know firsthand how difficult it is to be diagnosed and to talk about this terrible disease. But we must talk about it. When I’m at hospital I find that other cancer patients open up to me, yet they find it difficult to talk to their closest relatives. Sometimes people talk about their own cancer, sometimes it's about a relative or friend. They tell me: 'You've given me hope'.

"I am terminally ill with stage 4 malignant melanoma, but I’m living every single day with absolute positivity.

"If I can give one person hope, it's my job done."

Her campaign, Jacqui's Million, has been supported by people across the Bradford district, who have taken part in a range of fundraising activities. Jacqui has even posed naked to show that cancer doesn’t have to define who you are. “This was me baring my soul so I can help other people, both patients and their loved ones,” she says. “I have cancer, but I’m not hiding away. Life is a gift - that’s something we don’t say enough. We’re too busy taking life for granted.”

Now Jacqui is determined to hit the £200,000 target by the end of 2019. Her appeal was boosted recently by Brownies from Cottingley and Shipley packs who raised £1,456 from three bag packs at Tesco on Canal Road. "I got lovely handmade thank you cards from the Brownies with some really touching messages," says Jacqui. "One said: 'If I'm ever poorly I want to be like you'.

"Tesco has been very supportive of my appeal. I hope to do another bag pack at the end of the year."

It is Jacqui's remarkable positivity that strikes everyone who meets her. The former principal of Debut Academy in Shipley was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 1991 after finding a mole on her leg. She had it removed but 18 years later a secondary cancer spread, and in 2015 she had a lung removed. Shortly after that she almost died due to pneumocystis, a rare form of pneumonia.

But Jacqui has remained positive, channelling her energy into fundraising. Her ‘Positivity’ range of merchandise includes scented candles, beakers and gin glasses all bearing her inspiring message. Bar Lusso in Greengates, which sponsored 250 gin glasses, is selling two ‘Positivity Potion’ cocktails.

Jacqui's cabaret, Positively Tinsel, will take place towards the end of her big fundraising drive this year. It will be at King's Hall, Ilkley, on Sunday, December 15, with performances at 1pm and 5pm. "It will be a cabaret-style event," says Jacqui. "I'm looking for singers and dancers to take part. Rehearsals will start in September at Northcote Club, Bradford.

"I need 25/30 people for a singing chorus (no experience required), eight to 10 experienced dancers and 16 children aged nine. There will also be opportunities for solos and duets."

Other events this year include an 80s night at Guiseley Theatre on Saturday, February 16, sponsored by Aireborough Rotary, with a live band and pie and pea supper; a Greatest Showman-themed gala ball on Saturday, March 23 at Aspire in Leeds; a live music night at Also's in Greengates in April; a Mad Hatters Positivity Tea at Hollins Hall on Sunday, May 19, with the option of afternoon tea or nine holes of golf; an outdoor fun day with stalls, bands and children's ride in June; a Positivity Parade and Picnic

at Golden Acre Park, Bramhope, in which participants can sign up to walk around the park in a Jacqui's Million T-shirt. On Saturday, September 28 there will be a ball at Bradford's Midland Hotel organised by Bradford Bronte Rotary which has chosen Jacqui's Million as its charity this year."

* For more about Jacqui's Million, or to take part in the Positivity Tinsel cabaret spectacular, email jacqui.dake1@btinternet.com or ring 07768 351683.