A cancer survivor staged a fundraising afternoon tea for more than 100 people to celebrate that she did not die.

In her invite to family and friends, the 50 year-old told them: “Can you remember what you were doing ten years ago?”

“Well I certainly can: I was busy planning my own funeral before being admitted to Colchester hospital on the day of my 40th birthday in 2007. On the following day I underwent a 6 and a half hour operation.”

Maggie Haynes from Church Road, Fordham, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer several months prior to that and given three possible outcomes.

One option was doing nothing and having nine months to live, undergoing chemotherapy and having 18 months, or if a suitable case for surgery, “then who knows!”

She continued: “Well as you all know, I thank God, I’m still alive (and kicking) albeit with certain limitations regarding energy levels but hey ho.”

Maggie received the all-clear in 2012 but her illness meant she had to be pensioned off from her former career as a social worker as the treatment left her with post-operative fatigue and an inability to eat enough calories every day for an adult.

Instead of using what energy she has with a job, she feels it best to channel her life into spending time with loved ones, including husband David.

She continued: “In the past year I thought I would do a fundraiser- a nice elegant afternoon tea would be a wonderful way to raise funds.”

But with more than 100 people present, the event at Kingsland Church on Lexden Road to mark ten years of life after the operation was “so full on.”

“I never sat down the whole three hours. I had support. Friends baked cakes and scones and there were people also helping out but myself and my husband and a few friends hosted the 100 guests.”

“Then we sorted out an auction and a raffle. We did not sit down and relax.”

The tea party on January 21 raised £3,812.50, which will be split between St Helena Hospice and the Oesophageal Patients Association.

“It’s fantastic. This amount exceeded what I loosely expected. There was a £1,000 donation from a friend at work. People gave so much, donating prizes and cash even if they could not attend. It was also such a fantastic experience running the auction.”

Maggie now plans to hand over the money to the two charities at Kingsland Church on March 16 but is unsure about future fundraisers.

She added: “I haven’t got over this one yet. But I never say never.” Maggie added she wants people to be aware of gullet cancer, which kills 6,000 people a year and is associated with smoking and not eating enough vegetables.

The vegetarian had considered herself a fit non-smoking vegetarian who drank alcohol moderately and went to the gym 3-5 times a week.

Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, pain or discomfort behind the breastbone or in the back, indigestion or a cough, and some weight loss. These things may have causes other than cancer, but if symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, a doctor should be consulted.