A Ramsgate woman who has devoted her life to helping people and animals is determined to enjoy life to the full despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer a year ago.

Doris Daniels, of Edith Road, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer last May and was given six months to live but a year later she is looking forward to her 84th birthday tomorrow.

She said: “I wasn’t shocked to hear the news. I knew something was wrong when my food was getting stuck in my throat.

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“I was told I had around six months to live and I have outlasted that, but it wasn’t so nice knowing you only have a certain amount of time.

“You can’t hide from something like this and bury your head in the sand and I can’t believe the help I have had. I’ve worked all my life, and to be cared for like this is wonderful.”

This year alone, Doris has attended the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and met the Duchess of Cambridge at Turner Contemporary.

Doris thanked Crossroads Macmillan palliative care team for all their help in arranging her trip to Buckingham Palace.

She said: “I had a driver, a lovely dress, a beautician made me up and did a lovely job of it.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t walk around but the young soldiers and beefeaters were pushing me in my chair and we had a great time.”

Doris has been active throughout her life, living in Canada during the 1950s and visiting her family there each year after her return.

She said: “I had been to Canada 16 years in a row and just got a new passport when I realised something was wrong.

Video: Doris Daniels is determined to live life to the full

“I’m used to dashing around, and people used to tell me to slow down.

“I’m under five stone now, I know it’s coming to an end and I’m going to make the most of it.

“My daughter, Carole, is coming over all the time from Canada, and I have granddaughters, Claire and Vicki, and a great-grandson called Ethan.

“My stepson, Lawrence, lives in Yorkshire too, so I have a lovely supportive family.”

Doris spent more than 10 years working with Thanet Animal Group (TAG) and Christ Church Junior School in Ramsgate.

She said: “I used to help schoolchildren read, and I used to go to school there myself.”

Doris has lived in Edith Road for 47 years and is kept company by three TAG cats: Misty, Candy and Lizzie. TAG members are arranging her birthday treat tomorrow.

She said: “About 14 of us are going for lunch, and I don’t want presents or money, but if anyone wants to put 50p or £1 in for TAG that would be wonderful.”

Daughter Carole Shaw said: “I would really like to thank Crossroads Macmillan for all they did for Mum. They seemed genuinely as excited as us about the Buckingham Palace trip.

“Mum won the over-70 category for a 5km walk a couple of years ago and used to love riding motorbikes. She loves new adventures and seeing her now is so frustrating as she could not sit for more than 20 seconds before, but her mind-set is still the same.

“She is one amazing lady!”

Crossroads Macmillan volunteer Phil Moore said: “Doris truly is a remarkable and inspiring lady.

“There are thousands of people out there who can’t quite manage on their own because they are struggling with a long-term illness.

“We would love to welcome volunteers and help create a lovely memory for the person and their family, just like Doris has.”

Potential volunteers can contact Macmillan Cancer Support by emailing macmillaneastkent@gmail.com.