A mum who chose to give birth to her daughter rather than have treatment for a rare form of cancer said she is shocked but touched after a kind-hearted donor sent her a cheque for £1,000.

Kate Coles, 30, said she was astounded by the act of kindness from a stranger who read about her in the Wiltshire Times and wanted her to spend the money on whatever she wants.

Mrs Coles, of St John’s Crescent, Trowbridge, gave birth to Izabelle on February 19, nine weeks early, to allow her to receive treatment for a form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma.

She now wants to give some of the money to the ward at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol that is looking after her “little princess”.

She said: “I didn’t tell my story as a cry for help or for money.

“I did it so that people are aware of the types of rare cancer that are about.”

Mrs Coles was diagnosed with cancer a week after her honeymoon in 2007 and underwent an operation and six months of intensive chemotherapy.

After she became pregnant doctors found another lump, and since giving birth Mrs Coles has been told the cancer has spread to two other places.

The donor, a 73-year-old man from the Bradford on Avon area, said he wanted to remain anonymous.

He said: “It was a spur of the moment decision when I was sitting at the kitchen table and reading the story about Izabelle’s christening last week. I was very touched and wanted to do something.”

Mrs Coles, who has undergone more radiotherapy, said “We have been told we can take Izabelle home soon. But we want her to stay a little longer until she is stronger.”

Her husband Matt, 34, said: “We are very touched by what this man has done.

“Usually things you hear through the news are bad but this is something very positive for once.”