Mum-of-three Caroline Jordan, 39, is currently on a week-long holiday in Center Parcs courtesy of staff and students at NEW College, Pontefract, where she worked in the kitchen for six years until March this year.

Mrs Jordan, of Chestnut Walk, Knottingley, has also recently visited her parents in Blackpool with the spending money provided by her husband Lee's workmates at Darrington Quarries, who also bought her a mobility scooter.

The brave mum, who was told in March she has six to 12 months left to live after her cancer returned in a more aggressive form, said she has been touched by people's generosity.

Speaking to the Express before she left for Center Parcs on Monday, she said: "It has been so moving.

"I would like to thank everyone for what they have done. It's so overwhelming. Saying thank you doesn't seem enough."

Members of the now-disbanded Pontefract Round Table voted to hand over the £500 left in their bank account to Mrs Jordan to help fund the Center Parks trip.

The Jordan family – which includes children Sam, 20, Oliver, 15, and Ellie, ten – are also off to Butlins in June, paid for by the Willow Foundation.

Mrs Jordan said: "We're trying to book these holidays while I'm well enough to enjoy it. My husband is keen for the holidays.

"I spent most of my time last time in hospital and he wants to get me out of the house and into the fresh air."

Mrs Jordan was diagnosed with vaginal cancer in November 2007 – one of only three cases ever seen at Pontefract General Infirmary – following some abnormal smear tests.

After a tough stint of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Mrs Jordan had several "clear" scans and hoped that the cancer had gone.

But after visiting the doctor with back pain earlier this year, she was told the devastating news that the cancer was back and was extremely aggressive.

She said: "I was just getting myself up and getting my life back in order. I just couldn't believe it was happening again."

Mrs Jordan has been told there is no cure but chemotherapy may prolong her life by a matter of months.

She said: "They said it was my choice and that I didn't have to go through with the chemotherapy. I've just got to keep at it really.

"Just keep going. There's nothing else I can do.

"Chemotherapy is just trial and error. If it works it might shrink it a little bit but at some point it will start to grow again.

"I just have to take it one day at a time. It's a rollercoaster. You just think 'Why me? Why us? We're normal people'. You can't understand it.

"I try to block it out but I can't. You want it to go away but it won't. When I was in hospital I just wanted to give up. I just said I don't want any more. But family changes your mind.

"My children have been great. They're obviously having to cope with what's going on as well. Ellie's quite clingy.

"She used to go to breakfast club at school but she stops here now. She'd rather be here. She doesn't want to go.