Founder of "Fight on for Annie" Grainne O'Neill Talks About Jamie

Wearing his wristband with pride, Holywood's Jamie Dornan did his bit to support one Northern Irish family's charity drive.

The 50 Shades of Grey star was pictured wearing a Fight on for Annie wristband alongside his dad Jim to show their support to the pancreatic cancer campaign.

Fight on for Annie was set up in memory of mum-of-three Anne O'Neill, from Armagh, who lost her battle with pancreatic cancer just months after first falling ill.

Her daughter Grainne, 22, set up Fight On For Annie to create a lasting fundraising legacy for her mum who died in January last year at the age of 54.

The fund, also supported by Anne's other daughter Sinead, son Fergal and husband Tom, raises money both Pancreatic Cancer Action and Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Jamie, who plays Christian Grey in the blockbuster film of the moment, also lost his mum to pancreatic cancer when he was just 16.

Grainne told Belfast Live: "It was unreal to get Jamie's support.

"My Twitter and Facebook accounts for Fight on for Annie have exploded since I posted the picture of him with the wristband. The picture has been seen by more than 27,000 people.

"I have 500 more Twitter followers in 24 hours and it has been shared all over the world. I have received the nicest comments from people all over the world, South Africa, America, it has been amazing."

Grainne managed to get the wristband to Jamie through friends and she said she has been blown away by his support.

"Jamie lost his mum to pancreatic cancer and that's why I wanted him to hear about us, we both have that in common, I thought there would be that relation," said Grainne, a University of Ulster student.

"He is more than helpful with any charity but the response to this has been overwhelming. The fund is my project and to get this response worldwide has been amazing. To have someone of that status with our wristband is incredible.

"It is all about raising awareness for pancreatic cancer. It has been liked more than 1,000 on our Facebook and shared almost 200 times. We have also had more than £200 in donations since I put the picture up."

Grainne started getting involved campaigning to raise awareness for the disease when her mum was first diagnosed and she took to Google to find out more.

She said: "I was horrified at the statistics. It was shocking."

Since losing her mum Grainne has raised £13,000 with help from her family and friends.

Now she hopes with Jamie Dornan's support that her campaign's message will reach more people.

Grainne said: "We are just so grateful that people are hearing the words pancreatic cancer, people do not know the harsh reality of the disease, I do not have my mum any more and Jamie does not have his mum. It is just about getting the word out there."

She added: "I just want to thank Jamie, his dad Jim for their support and all his fans for sharing the message."

To support Fight On For Annie buy one of a purple wristband by emailing info@fightonforannie.com or visit the Facebook and Twitter accounts.