THEY devoted their lives to helping others, but now Mandy Abberley and Julian Needs are planning some time to themselves - so they can tie the knot.

Since last September the pair have raised more than £15,000 towards their dream of building a specialist women's cancer centre for South Wales.

The idea for the South Wales Regional Women's Gynaecology and Breast Cancer Centre came about after Mandy lost two sisters to breast cancer, and both she and another sister were struck down by ovarian cancer.

There are around 2,000 gynaecological cancer cases in Wales each year, and specialists say a dedicated centre is vital.

Mandy and Julian had only been dating for four months in March 1995, when Mandy learned she had ovarian cancer and needed a radical hysterectomy.

"I didn't come home that day after hearing what the consultant had told me. I didn't want to come home as I did not know how to explain to Julian how ill I was," she said.

"I told him to find someone new, but he held me in his arms with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Mandy, I'll never turn my back on you. I love you too much'."

The operation was in April 1995, and Julian booked a surprise holiday in St Lucia to celebrate - only to find that Mandy was unable to travel because of her operation.

But on March 29 next year they will make up for it by marrying in Antigua, in the Caribbean.

Mandy, 45, of Ger-y-Parc, Langstone, Newport, said: "We thought it was time to settle down. We're thinking of ourselves for a bit."

The couple even put off their wedding date last year, so the official launch of the cancer centre appeal could go ahead.

"We were going to get married last year, but we had the chance to put on a musical extravaganza in the University Hospital of Wales, so we delayed it again," Mandy said.

This time the couple are determined everything will be perfect.

"We're going to have two good friends of ours over there with us, and then we're coming back and throwing a huge party on a Caribbean theme. "I can't wait for March."

But when the honeymoon's over, it's back to the fundraising.

"We'll be straight back into our charity work," Mandy vowed.