The family of Malinda Binns who passed away last month following a year-long battle with cancer raised $1,000 through a gospel concert on Saturday evening to help raise money for outstanding medical bills.

The daughters and mother of Ms Binns [formerly O’Connor] are faced with bills exceeding $100,000.

In the space of just one year, Ms Binns received diagnoses of melanoma of the sinuses, cancer of the kidney and brain cancer. She underwent skin grafts, multiple surgeries including the removal of her right eye and the removal of a tumour from her brain, as well as radiation and chemotherapy.

So far the family has been able to raise $17,000 towards the original $120,000 bill thanks to the generosity of the local community but they still have a long way to go to bring their costs down to a manageable level.

Ms Binns’s mother said: “I want to thank the community very, very much we really do appreciate it.”

Donations can still be made through the Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association and the community. Donors must state that their funds are intended for Malinda Binn’s account at HSBC #010-287209-002.