BRIXINGTON grandmother Patricia Coles, 62, feared she would miss out on her daughter and grandaughter's big birthdays when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. But they have brought forward their 40th and 21st birthdays to next month and will be th

BRIXINGTON grandmother Patricia Coles, 62, feared she would miss out on her daughter and grandaughter's big birthdays - when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.But they have brought forward their 40th and 21st birthdays to next month - and will be throwing a massive party at The Pavilion so Pat can join in.And the birthday bash will be a major fundraiser for cancer charities, too.Exmouth-born 'dancing queen' Pat, of Pines Road, will invite friends from all over town to join her and her family for the party of the year.To make sure Pat - who is having chemotherapy - didn't miss their big days, daughter Lynn Panton and grand-daughter Danielle have brought their celebrations forward from July 22 and 13 respectively."We have all been positive, which has really helped me get through," said Pat - who collapsed while Christmas shopping last December before doctors discovered a tumour in her gall bladder. "When they told me the cancer had spread, I panicked," she said. "I thought I might miss the girls' birthdays. We know so many people in town so this party will be a real celebration. Also, the only way to find a cure for others is by raising funds."Fundraising is an expert topic for Pat - who formed the Instep dancing team with Renee Harvey, Myra Cater and Christine Haydon. The team raised cash by dancing for care homes and at events in the 1980s and '90s, while Pat and husband John were involved with the Exmouth Lions Club.The Pavilion party will feature a raffle and auction of prizes, gifts and treats donated by Exmouth and Exeter businesses. Lynn, of Marpool Crescent, and friend Teresa Lock, 38, a community nursing worker at Exmouth Hospital, secured more than 50 donations - even before official request letters had gone out.Lynn, a fellow hospital worker, said: "We want to thank all the people who have donated. The aim is to make as much as we can for Cancer Research UK and FORCE in Exeter, who have helped mum so much."We want to invite everybody who knows us. We have brought our birthdays forward to celebrate with mum - and all the presents will be used as donations. "It has been a shock, but we are staying positive and we want to celebrate mum's life - and, if she is here in summer, we will have two parties!"To donate to the fundraising effort at The Pavilion on May 2, contact Lynn on (01395) 224305 or Teresa, of Dinan Way, on (01395) 275743.