'It made me feel stronger': UB40 stars surprise terminal cancer patient in Compton Hospice visit

These are the words of Nicola Moore, a 32-year-old mother of two who was told just weeks ago she has terminal cancer.

Yesterday, after thousands of people rallied online to support her, Nicola, of Wordsley, ticked the main item off her bucket list - meeting her idol, UB40 singer Ali Campbell.

She said: "When that door opened I just froze. Everything was in slow motion.

"Ali has made me feel good in myself now and more like I can try and get on with my illness. He seems a strong person himself and he understands. I've had my wish come true now."

Two months ago Nicola, who is mother to 12-year-old Chloe and 19-month-old Shyann, was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

After a dose of radiation treatment, just five weeks ago she received the news her cancer was terminal.

With the help of Compton Hospice's PR and marketing officer Grace Ruston, Nicola posted her wish to meet UB40 on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon.

By the time reggae legends Ali and Astro walked into her room 24 hours later, the post had been viewed by 2.5 million people, and had been shared on Facebook more than 48,000 times.

It was phenomenal, Ali said, and demonstrated the power of social media.

Back in Birmingham for just one day before heading to London to begin rehearsals for their national tour, the timing could not have been more perfect.

Ali said while they have had a few similar requests in the past, Nicola was 'a bit more special'.

"Wednesday night 500 people were interested, then 5,000, then 30,000, then 2.5 million on Thursday morning.

"I have had messages from Mississippi, New Zealand, Australia - 'Are you going to go and see this young lady?'

"Yeah man, we're on our way."

Astro added: "How can we not go?"

Meeting Nicola had been very humbling, he said.

"At the end of the day these are the people who have supported us throughout our careers...these are hardcore fans who have stood by us through thick and thin.

"We were happy that we were in the neighbourhood and we made her wish come true...of all the people and bands in the world she chose us, I feel honoured.'

Aware she was in for some sort of surprise, Nicola had no idea who was going to be visiting yesterday afternoon.

She said: "I have had some poorly days this week but this has just changed it all.

"I'm so happy, just chuffed. I'm just shocked, I feel like glass."

Describing Ali as 'incredible', Nicola said she had been a fan of the band since she was a child and her mother would play their music.

She said: "He had the walk - that style, that cool walk coming towards me.

"I felt like something was pulling me, it felt like he's coming to me now like God was coming to hold my hand.

"He winked at me as well and gave me a kiss on the cheek and held my hand, I couldn't believe it. This is just life changing this is."

Although they didn't sing for Nicola yesterday, she sang a few lines of 'Rat in the Kitchen' for them, as they chatted about their childhoods and compared tattoos.

Ali and Astro said they were dedicating this morning's session on Radio 2's Chris Evans' show to Nicola, as well as a song at their Nottingham show next week which she will be attending as a VIP guest.

Nicola's mother Susan Colman, 52, said it was wonderful seeing her daughter smile.

"The cancer has come on so quick. It was really a big shock to us, and to see her happy again after what she has been through is tremendous...we have had a lot of bereavement the past three years, so this is absolutely fantastic.

"We never thought it would go like this, just posting something on the internet."

Nicola added: "My grandad is probably looking down and he will be so proud of me. He'd think 'my God, our Nicola and all them people.''

Fielding calls and emails almost non-stop since the Facebook post went viral, Miss Ruston said: "When Nicola first told us about this she was in a lot of pain and she looked quite unwell.

"Seeing her now and showing her all those messages of support, she just looks so bright and so happy."

Nicola thanked the staff at Compton Hospice for their help with her bucket list and their care this week, as well as everyone online who has supported her.