A GOUROCK mum who is dying of cancer spoke today of her gratitude to local school pupils who are helping to raise thousands of pounds to help fight the disease.

Accountant Adele Mitchell, 39, who may have only nine months to live, said the Twitter campaign was 'absolutely amazing'.

It has been backed by a host of celebrities including Lord Sugar and Celtic star Georgios Samaras.

Adele lives in Turnberry Drive with her husband Kevin, 42 and their 11-year-old daughter Elissa, who is a pupil at Clydeview Academy.

Following a suggestion by Elissa, youngsters at the school launched a '1,000 hands for cancer' campaign on the social networking site.

People have been posting pictures of their hand with the cancer ribbon symbol and the word 'cancer' written along the middle finger.

One of Adele's friends, a Glasgow businessman who wants to remain anonymous, offered to donate �1,000 to a cancer charity if 1,000 people posted pictures of their hands with the message.

The campaign started last Tuesday, but Clydeview pupils and other supporters have reached almost 3,000 pictures - and �1 is being donated for every single one.

Adele and Kevin, who is a construction company contracts manager, said they were overwhelmed by the response.

The family moved in March from Newcastle, where Adele was born, to Gourock.

Adele is suffering from terminal cervical cancer. She had previously recovered from ovarian cancer and felt fine when she went for a job interview in Dubai last August.

The company gave her a medical - and the new cancer was discovered.

Adele said: "I felt fine, so I was devastated when this was discovered.

"I've had chemotherapy and radiotherpy, but it was too far advanced.

"The news was traumatic for the whole family. It's very difficult. We're just taking it one day at a time." She said they wanted to move to a town where there was fresh air and places they could walk, and decided on Gourock.

Kevin, who is from Kirkcaldy, said: "We love living in Gourock. Elissa has been in her school for only a few months, and yet everyone there has been so generous towards this campaign. It's very humbling." The campaign will continue and the money will be divided between Cancer Support Scotland and the Children's Hospice Assocation Scotland.

It is also being supported by star singer Ed Sheeran, top comedian Kevin Bridges and reality TV star Gaz from Geordie Shore.

Former Atomic Kitten singers Natasha Hamilton and Liz McLarnon have also got in on the act.

Clydeview Academy maths teacher Laura Lever, who has helped Elissa and her friends co-ordinate the campaign, said: "I can't believe how much this has taken off and I am touched by it.

"This is raising money and awareness, which is fantastic.

"I can't believe the support the pupils have got.

"They have given so much time to this by sitting for hours sending messages out on Twitter to so many people." The target number was exceeded on Thursday night ahead of the Friday midnight deadline, which has now been extended indefinitely.

On Friday, 600 Clydeview pupils demonstrated their support to the cause by gathering in the corridors to show off their palms and the message.