THE family of a Worcester woman who has spent her career saving lives are now appealing for the public’s help to save hers.

Christine Gill, 53, who has spent more than 30 years in the West Midlands Ambulance Service, has been diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer and needs specialist treatment.

To fund this, the family needs £20,000 as her treatment is only available privately.

On the family’s GoFundMe page, it says: “Our wife, mother, nana, friend and mentor Christine Gill has sadly been diagnosed with Stage 4 GI junction Oesophageal Cancer.

“She was told that she was in the top 25 per cent that could possibly be cured, the tumour was advanced but localised.

“The multi-disciplinary team have now stated that surgery and radiotherapy is not an option under the NHS but they will be doing EOX chemotherapy as part of palliative care.”

Following some research, the family found out about alternative treatments, which unfortunately must be privately funded.

The family added: “We are asking you for anything that you could spare to help her fight this battle, all of your kind donations will be used to fund private treatment and things that will assist Christine in having an easier life through this horrible time.

“Christine’s goal is to beat this and get her uniform back on to save more lives. Thank you so much.”

Originally joining the ambulance service in 1984 as a control room assistant, Mrs Gill rose through the ranks and became an officer overseeing the running of the control room.

In 1997 she changed careers, training as an ambulance technician for two years before becoming a paramedic in 1999.

Since then, she has mentored hundreds of staff and trainees in a number of Midlands universities.

Her career has also seen her become head of clinical practice for women and children in the service, which saw her sent to Kolkata in India to work in the slums with chilren and their families.

In 2013 she returned to being a frontline paramedic and appeared on both BBC and Channel 4 programmes.

The family added: “After a lifetime of helping people, and only having retired for three years, Christine needs our help.

“She is such a selfless, considerate, loving caring and strong person inside and out.”

To donate to the fundraiser, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bethany-may-curtis