THE family of a showbiz journalist battling stage four cancer say they have been overwhelmed by celebrities’ generosity to help raise £100,000 needed for her treatment.

Amy Watts’ plight has attracted the likes of Simon Cowell who personally donated to the cause in a bid to give her the life-saving treatment.

The 37-year-old, originally from Evenwood, in Teesdale, was diagnosed with colon cancer in August while living in Los Angeles and was told the disease has already spread to her liver.

But despite preparing for an operation to cut the cancer out in December, American doctors decided this was no longer possible, which sparked family and friends to set up a fund to have the procedure in the UK instead. Now a private hospital in Leeds says it can carry out the two operations Ms Watts will need, but the family will need to raise £70,000 for them to go ahead next month.

They have set up the ‘Hold Amy’s Hand’ campaign and have already raised £50,000 after the message went viral on twitter and Facebook.

The former Daily Star reporter, who has been supported by stars such as actress Michelle Keegan and pop star Kylie Minogue, flew back to the UK last week to prepare for the operations.

Ms Watts is now resting with her parents, Sue and Ray, at their home in Bury, Greater Manchester, but her relatives in the North-East have praised all the support she has been getting from the region.

Her cousin, Sarah Proud, 34, of Cockfield, said: “I’m so overwhelmed by the support she’s had, especially when Simon Cowell donated personally, but it’s quite surreal.

“She’s as well as can be expected.”

She added: “I have always been very proud of her but to me she’s still my big cousin and fingers crossed these options work and if anyone can help then please do.”

Ms Watts’ schoolfriends Paula Howarth, Samantha Lindley and Sally Edwards set up the campaign.

Ms Edwards said: “She’s a bit overwhelmed by it all and I think she’s particularly touched by things that are more personal and community-based, and that’s what makes her happy.”

She added: “She’s very weak at the moment and she’s waiting for this operation because they have given up on her in America.

“She’s desperately waiting for the operation and just trying to conserve a bit of energy for it because she’s really weak but the campaign has made such a difference in the last couple of weeks – it’s really helped her.”

To donate visit www.holdamyshand.com