A TERMINALLY-ill woman and her husband are racing against time to raise enough cash for intensive cancer treatment in Mexico.

Stef Axelby, 37, and Kevin Axelby, 42, of Wharram-le-Street, near Malton, who have a nine-year-old son, Kane, believe that the £21,000 Issels Treatment, at the Oasis of Hope Hospital, is their last chance.

But if they are unable to raise the cash in time for Stef, any money raised will go straight to Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Stef was diagnosed with cervical cancer in June 2001 and underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite going into remission for a 12-week period, the cancer returned and, just before Christmas 2002, the couple were told that the cancer was terminal.

Kevin, who has given up his job as a builder to care for Stef full-time, said: "It was absolutely devastating. Stef's a very positive person, but when you get news like that it's very hard."

The Issels Treatment focuses on rebuilding the immune system and reducing toxins in the body rather than attacking the cancerous cells alone.

A charity, Irene's Cancer Appeal, which uses Stef's first name, has been set up to raise the £21,000. So far, £800 has been raised.

Kevin said: "We are racing against time.

"She's so full of life and the days when the pain gets too much, it is so sad. We want to try everything we can - we have got nothing to lose."

To contribute to the appeal, contact Kevin Axelby on 07961 583938, send cheques payable to Irene's Cancer Appeal to 75 Birley Moor Road, Sheffield, or pay direct into the Irene's Cancer Appeal account at NatWest Bank, account number 33034524, sort code 60-40-09.

Updated: 09:55 Monday, June 02, 2003