A fund-raising campaign to help a cancer-stricken father get the vital treatment he needs has passed the £60,000 mark.

The milestone comes as Neil Cooper begins his fourth course of pioneering chemotherapy today. The 33-year-old from Portslade was told in January he had only two months to live after doctors discovered cancer in his lungs and adrenal glands.

Ordinary chemotherapy was unsuccessful and his only hope was a trial treatment unavailable on the NHS.

Each course of treatment costs £10,000. Thanks to the generous supporters of the campaign set up by The Argus Appeal, the family can concentrate on Neil's health without worrying where the money to pay for the chemotherapy is coming from.

A scan last month found that after two cycles of treatment, the tumour in Neil's lungs had halved and growths in his glands had shrunk.

He will have a second scan later this month to see how things are progressing.

It was a £5,000 donation from the Lighthouse Group in Woodingdean, Brighton, where Neil's wife Wendy works, that brought the total past the £60,000 mark.

Wendy, 32, is currently on maternity leave but has worked at the financial advice company for 12 years. Neil also worked there for nine years.

The donation came from a black-tie dinner and charity auction held during the company's annual conference in Newport, Gwent, earlier this year.

Proceeds from the event were divided between the company's annual charity Shelter and the appeal for Neil.

Steve Clarke, director of group client services, said: "The company agreed to use the opportunity to promote the appeal and were able to give £5,000 from the event.

"Staff here have been doing what they can to support the family ever since we heard about Mr Cooper's illness.

"When we were told he only had two months to live it was a great shock. A lot of people who knew him wanted to do what they could to help.

"There have been various events such as a sponsored walk and dress-down days and there is more money to come."

Donations have flooded in to the appeal since it was launched at the end of April, with schools, businesses, old schoolmates, colleagues, friends and strangers all getting behind the campaign.

Readers have been determined to do their bit so that together, Neil and Wendy can watch their seven-month-old daughter Caitlin grow up.

Recent donations include £1,456 raised from a sponsored walk from Lancing to Brighton Marina, which was followed by a sponsored chest wax and head and beard shave.

Fund-raisers included members of the ISS Mediclean catering staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, Neil's niece Abi and two friends from Portslade Community College.

Argus appeal co-ordinator Elsa Gillio said: "The job of the appeal is to make a difference to people in our community.

"When each of us look at the pictures of Neil and Caitlin, we know that the appeal and those who have supported the Neil Cooper campaign are doing their job. We thank the many people who have helped us donate this money."

If you would like to help, send your cheque to: The Neil Cooper Appeal, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton, BN1 8AR or donate by credit card by calling Elsa Gillio on 01273 544465.