TWO hundred people turned out to support teenage cancer patient Alice Pyne as she launched her charity.

Alice, who has blood cancer Hodgkin’s lymphoma, was said to be ‘delighted’ as crowds and businesses donated £1,000 for Alice’s Escapes.

The Ulverston teenager shot to international fame in June after starting an online ‘bucket list’ of things she wanted to achieve before she died.

Raising public awareness of the need for bone marrow donors was at the top of her published priorities.

She quickly caught the attention of the media and celebrities, including Take That, who Alice met at one of their concerts, and Prime Minister David Cameron, who invited her to his home The 16-year-old set up her charity to help offer Lake District holidays and discounted days out for sick children and their families.

A group of eight cyclists rode to the launch party at Booth’s supermarket, in Ulverston, on Tuesday, while on a sponsored ride for Alice’s cause.

The cyclists, made up of family friends, were five days into their journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Gary Pennington, of Barrow, is one of ten family friends who helped set up Alice’s Escapes, based in Ulverston. The 45-year-old said: “We wanted to use the day to raise awareness of the need for more bone marrow donors – which is one of Alice’s key aims – and to start off fund raising for Alice’s charity.

“The turnout was amazing – everyone was very generous and we raised £1,000 on the first day. Alice was really pleased. She is a star.”

For more information or to donate visit www.alices escapes.co.uk.