A cancer patient faces a race against time to raise money for surgery unavailable on the NHS before the disease spreads from her lungs.

Jean Sarah, from Woodbridge, needs £10,000 to get to Germany for treatment to remove a tumour discovered at the beginning of this year.

Surgery on the NHS would mean removal of the entire organ – but the 59-year-old is scared her health would be permanently affected and instead wants to seek help abroad.

Mrs Sarah’s son, Charlie, has put everything on hold to make sure enough money can be raised to book the surgery by the end of this month. The 40-year-old guitar teacher is also selling off his valuable childhood collection of Star Wars figures to contribute to the cause.

Ex-seamstress Mrs Sarah is a former smoker but gave up 18 months ago. Without surgery, she has been given between six and 18 months to live. She said: “Because the cancer is stage 2A and close to my heart, there is a high risk factor and I need surgery soon before it spreads.

“I have always suffered breathing problems, including bronchitis in the winter. Once my lung has been removed, there is no going back.

“I have visions of being stuck in a chair wearing a mask and carrying an oxygen bottle around.

“I found a clinic in Germany that can treat the cancer without removing the lung. This will cost 4,000 euro a week for a three-week stay, which would cover my stay, treatment, drugs, clinic, doctors fees and food.

“My son is so desperate to get me the treatment that he is trying to sell all his work equipment to raise the money.”

About £2,500 has been raised so far, with an auction of promises due to be staged this Sunday at The Bull Hotel, Woodbridge.

Former Sky Sports News, BBC and ITV presenter Stuart Jarrold will call the lots between 1pm and 5pm. Among the items are a guitar with speaker and bag, drum lessons, guitar lessons, horse riding lessons, golf lessons, meals for two, gym membership, cinema tickets and afternoon tea at the Seckford Hotel.

Before that, on Friday, local band Shattered perform at Kesgrave Social Club, from 7.30pm. Tickets are £5.

On March 19, an evening of clairvoyance takes place with Stephanie Carr at Horley Spiritualist Church, in Ipswich. Tickets are £10 on 01473 253506.

Mrs Sarah, who is also hoping to apply for GP funding, has set up a fundraising page.