Hope for cancer dad

That's the message from cancer-stricken young father Neil Cooper and his family to the hundreds of people across Sussex touched by his plight.

In just one month, our appeal to help pay for 33-year-old Mr Cooper's cancer treatment has raised £35,000 - enough to cover three chemotherapy sessions which could help prolong his life.

His wife Wendy, 32, said: "I'd like to thank The Argus and everyone involved with Neil's Appeal. Without your help the second lot of chemotherapy was hopefully' going to happen but not definitely.

"But now, thanks to everyone's generosity, the cost of the next few are covered providing the scan shows what we all want to see.

"We are truly humbled and grateful to you all for giving Neil a chance to spend more time than anticipated with his darling daughter Caitlin and family. Thank you so very much."

That support has come from all quarters - from friends, relatives, colleagues and those who do not know Mr Cooper but have been touched by his story.

They have all helped pay for three £10,000 courses of chemotherapy not available on the NHS in this country and currently only on trial.

Mr Cooper began his second bout last Thursday and a scan to determine the success of his treatment so far is expected in the next two to three weeks.

There is no guarantee it will work but there is a good chance it will prolong Mr Cooper's life.

Mr Cooper, from Portslade, has an untreatable form of cancer affecting his lungs and kidneys and at the start of the year was given only two months to live.

His family were desperate to find the money for the pioneering treatment to give him the chance to spend more time with Wendy and Caitlin, who is just six months old.

Mr Cooper's family had just managed to pay for the first course but were left wondering how they were going to pay for the next.

When The Argus printed Mr Cooper's story in April the response was almost instantaneous.

Within hours the phones were ringing, emails were being sent and letters written by people touched by his plight. Donations have come in from sponsored events around the county while other readers have sent in money directly.

This included a donation from the Tantara's Wish charity run by the Stillwell family from Worthing, where father Allen and two of his daughters have a rare form of genetic cancer.

Mr Cooper's brother Warren said: "We really cannot thank people enough.

"The response has been absolutely amazing.

"It has been a comfort for us to know that so many other people are supporting us and wishing Neil well.

"It makes us feel we are not fighting alone.

"Having the money to pay for the treatment has taken that worry away from us now and we can all concentrate on Neil instead. We are truly grateful."

Appeal co-ordinator Elsa Gillio said she had been overwhelmed by the support.

She said: "When we started this I said the Coopers were a very special family and if there was a chance that Neil could spend even just one day more with his daughter and the rest of them then it was worth doing.

"How much would you pay to spend that little bit more time with a loved one?

"This is one of the largest, if not the largest, donations we have raised for a single family and it has been fantastic.

"This is a lovely family and the response from everyone involved has been heart-warming."

Michael Beard, group editor of The Argus, said: "Once again our readers have shown just how much they care.

"When we launched the appeal for Neil we knew they would rally to the cause - and how they have done that.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has made a donation.

"To reach this amount so quickly is a staggering effort. They should all feel extremely proud."

Fund-raising events are still being held and anyone wanting to donate to the appeal can do so by sending cheques made payable to The Argus to: The Neil Cooper Appeal, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton BN1 8AR.

Alternatively you can pay by credit card. For more details call Elsa Gillio on 01273 544465 or email elsa.gillio@theargus.co.uk.