MORE than £6,000 raised through the sale of celebrity-supported t-shirts, created after a west Dorset woman was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer.

Alexa Smallwood, who lives in Charmouth with her husband and three children, was diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma – cancer of the bile duct – just before Christmas at the age of 40.

Her friends wanted to do all they could to help and support Alexa, with one, Lettice Hagan, a co-founder of Catapult Clothing, creating a limited edition ‘BRAVE’ t-shirt to raise funds for the charity AMMF, which researches Cholangiocarcinoma.

In just two weeks more than 700 t-shirts were sold, raising £5,000, and the campaign has been supported by Davina McCall, Bear Grylls and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, who have posted pictures of themselves in the t-shirt using #beingbrave.

In a statement on Catapult Clothing’s website, Lettice said: “Just before Christmas, at the age of only 40 with a devoted husband and three gorgeous boys, one of my best friends was told the most devastating news – she had a rare and sadly incurable type of cancer.

“Very little is known about Cholangiocarcinoma – cancer of the bile duct – it is difficult to diagnose accurately and early. There are treatment options available but there is a very great need for ongoing research to find out the causes of this disease so we can develop better diagnostic tests and more effective treatments.

“My friend has shown incredible strength of spirit in the face of the most horrific circumstances and she is fighting it mind, body and soul.

“Darling Alexa, you are so brave. We dedicate this to you and 100 per cent of the profits will go to Cholangiocarcinoma.”

Orders for the t-shirts have been received from across the globe, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Dubai, Canada and the USA, as well as more than 10 European countries.

Alexa said: “It has been amazing to see so much support across the globe, country and amongst my amazing Dorset community for the Catapult Clothing BRAVE t-shirt and cause.

“Raising money for charity AMMF is so important to me to better help earlier diagnosis and find more treatment options.”

AMMF works to raise awareness of Cholangiocarcinoma, provide information and to encourage and support research into the causes and treatments for the disease.

Helen Morement, AMMF’s CEO, said: “Year on year we’re seeing an increasing number of young adults being diagnosed with the ruthless disease, cholangiocarcinoma, so we’re truly grateful to Alexa’s friends who have combined their skills and expertise to launch the #beingbrave campaign on her behalf.

“This campaign has done so much to increase awareness around the world and to raise funds to enable us to support desperately needed research.”

The t-shirts are available from www.catapultclothing.com