Big-hearted Albion fans and shoppers raised hundreds of pounds to help give a dying cancer patient longer to live.

Offers of help have flooded in to give Neil Cooper the chance to see his baby daughter grow up.

The Neil Cooper Appeal was launched by The Argus to raise money for chemotherapy treatment for the 33-year-old.

Mr Cooper, from Portslade, has an untreatable form of cancer affecting his lungs and kidneys and his only chance of prolonging his life is a trial treatment not available on the NHS.

Each three-week course of treatment costs about £10,000 and the family are in urgent need of help to give Mr Cooper the chance to spend more precious time with his six-month-old daughter Caitlin and wife Wendy, 32.

At the last home game of the season yesterday, Albion fans emptied their pockets as The Argus Appeal collected cash.

Members of Albion's Under 15 girls' side collected for the appeal before Albion kicked off against Stoke.

The money raised will be counted up and given to the Cooper family this week.

More than £200 was also raised during a bucket collection at ASDA in Hollingbury on Saturday.

The Argus Appeal, which supports good causes across Sussex, kicked things off with a donation of £1,000 and more offers have flooded in.

There is no guarantee the treatment will work but there is a good chance it will prolong Mr Cooper's life by several months or possibly more. It may also stabilise his condition for long enough until more medical treatments are developed in the future that may help him.

Mr Cooper's family just about managed to find the money for the first batch of treatment but the bill for the next is due in the middle of May.

Elsa Gillio, coordinator of The Argus Appeal, said: "We have had a wonderful response but it has been mainly very small amounts of money because that's all people can afford.

"People are giving everything they can to help. One 86-year-old gave us £300 and one woman donated half her pension.

"We are really grateful but what we need is some well-meaning multi-millionaire businessman to make a big donation.

"The Cooper family are overwhelmed with emotional, practical and spiritual support, what they desperately need now is money.

"I have refused to meet them until I can give them that. I couldn't possibly see them until I had the money they need."

Albion spokesman Paul Camillin said: "All the lads are right behind the campaign. Everybody at the club wanted to do whatever we could to help Neil's appeal.

"The fans gave generously and we'll know tomorrow how much we raised.

"We would urge anyone who wants to help to get in touch with The Argus with any fundraising ideas."

Cheques made payable to The Argus can be sent to the Neil Cooper Appeal, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton, BN1 8AR. People can also donate by credit card. To make a donation call Elsa Gillio on 01273 544465 or 07796 318402 or email elsa.gillio@theargus.co.uk