Merton Council employee Alexa Burrows attended a cocktail reception earlier this month at the House of Lords, in honour of having raised £4,000 for breast cancer while fighting the illness herself.

Alexa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, and underwent chemotherapy throughout the past year at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. In between her sessions, she worked hard to raise cash for Breast Cancer Campaign and for St. George’s Breast Unit, arranging several fundraising events locally and at Merton Council. The total amount of funds that she single-handedly raised currently totals to £4,000, which she donated half and half between the charity and the hospital.

The cocktail reception at the House of Lords was held in the Chomondeley Room on 5 May. The evening was organized for fund-raisers of charities to meet the individuals who work for the particular charity, and those who benefit from the donations. Scientists who research cures for breast cancer also attended and mingled with the recent participants of the London Marathon about different achievements they had reached for charity.

Ged Curran, Merton Council’s Chief Executive said: “We are all very proud of Alexa, who has shown amazing dedication and commitment to raising funds while at the same time battling breast cancer herself. She has been, and will continue to be, an inspiration to everyone council-wide.”