A Beaminster family are appealing for donations to help with accommodation and petrol costs as the husband drives 120 miles to see his wife.

Angela Bell from Beaminster was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer eight years ago and underwent surgery for a stem cell transplant on Wednesday (August 10).

The 53-year-old’s cancer was initially managed through chemotherapy and the monitoring of her bloods, but about a year and a half ago her condition began to change, and she needed the transplant.

Amanda Bell, 33, Angela’s daughter said: “In January she began chemotherapy and was meant to have the transplant two weeks later, but it was cancelled, and this happened two more times because they were not able to do it, or there were problems with the donors.”

Angela’s husband Andy has had to leave his job to support his wife and drives a 120-mile round trip from Beaminster to Southampton Hospital, often stopping over in B&B’s which is taking a financial toll on the family.

Amanda said: “The family is trying to help as much as we can as my dad is not working while my mum is in the hospital, so we started the GoFundMe to raise money to help my dad out with the cost of B&B’s and petrol.

“We’re pulling together as a family, it’s scary but we’re keeping faith and she will now remain in hospital for another 5-6 weeks, it’s a waiting game and we have to wait 18 days to see whether the transplant works.”

As well as a financial toll, Amanda’s mum was her main source of childcare, which has been quite hard on her but luckily her auntie has stepped in to help her out.

Before the transplant as a result of treatments Angela had been suffering quite badly with sickness and confusion.

Amanda added: “they had to bring her down to her lowest point so that she could have it and she has lost a lot of weight because of it and is struggling a little bit to get her nutrients so has to be fed through a tube.”

Amanda has praised the treatment that her mum has received at Southampton Hospital.

She said: “The hospital are looking after her well and have been brilliant.”

You can donate to the family’s GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bone-marrow-transplant-please-help-this-lady