PLAYING bingo was a Christmas Wish come true for a brave grandmother who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Yvonne Woolf, 73, who formerly lived in Highworth but now lives with her daughter in Stratton, was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer in August.

Earlier this month, we asked you to tell us about people who truly deserved a treat over the festive period.

Yvonne was nominated by her grandaughter, Kimberley Newbold, who wanted her nan to return to her much-loved Gala Bingo in Greenbridge as she hasn’t been able to go recently due to her illness.

Yvonne, who survived breast cancer seven years ago, said: “This treat has brought Christmas early.

“I love playing bingo. I normally play at Gala Bingo in Greenbridge every Monday but I haven’t been able to go for about six weeks. It’s lovely to be back. I have been playing bingo for years, I have won a couple of hundreds in the past.

“Bingo is so entertaining and it keeps your mind going.”

Yvonne, whose husband, Charles, died two years ago, was also treated to a £100 shopping spree at Matalan, where she bought a cardigan, top, trousers and a scarf, which she wore to bingo yesterday.

“The whole experience has been very uplifting and has brightened Christmas up. I don’t get out very often and it is lovely to be here,” she said.

The grandmother-of-15, who is also a great-grandmother of seven, and mother-of-four, was accompanied by Kimberley and one of the fellow grandchildren, Danielle Bird.

They had a VIP table in front of the stage with champagne, commemorative Gala Bingo glasses, chocolate, and a complementary two course dinner.

They also had bingo books and an electric bingo terminal to use.

Kimberley, 32, of Rodbourne, said: “My nan’s diagnosis hit the family hard but she is being incredibly brave and staying positive.

“She is a special lady, who means a lot to me. I couldn’t believe it when I found out my application had been successful. I was in the middle of Asda screaming.

“It’s lovely to be able to put a smile on my nan’s face. We want to thank Matalan, Gala Bingo and the Adver for making this happen.”

Gala Bingo Greenbridge general manager, Steve Rogers, said it was great to be able to help make Yvonne’s Christmas Wish come true.

“We try and do as much as we can for the local community. It is great to welcome Yvonne back to the club so she can have a great game of bingo,” he said.