A CWMBRAN woman who was denied access to a life-prolonging cancer drug has started treatment thanks to fundraising from friends and family.

Carolyn Davies, 47, who is battling breast cancer for the second time, has been able to start using the drug Trastuzumab Emtansine TDN1 after friends and family rallied round to support her –including an anonymous donation of £20,000.

Mrs Davies’ neighbours, Deri Groves and his wife Michelle, have managed to raise more than £6,000 for the campaign in the space of 10 weeks through a range of fundraising events.

After a family fun day, sponsored walks up mountains and bag packing at supermarkets, they raised the money and handed it over to Mrs Davies on Saturday.

Mum-of-two Mrs Davies said that although she had been blown away by everyone’s support, they were still a long way off their fundraising target to pay for a full year's worth of treatment.

“As we have had an anonymous donation of £20,000 we have already got about £35,000, which sounds like a lot of money, but treatment for one year is £69,000 and if it works it is ongoing and not a one-off,” she said.

“That’s why it’s continuous fundraising.”

Mrs Davies said she was ‘ecstatic’ when Mr Groves told her how much they had raised.

“They have been absolutely fantastic.

“He’s like a bulldog who won’t let it go whenever he does anything.

“It really takes the pressure off as its £4,000 per treatment that lasts 21 days.”

She also thanked everyone for their support: “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, friends and my church, Hill City in Pontnewynydd. They have been absolutely fabulous.

“It’s been so overwhelming and it shows you there is still good out there, and people are prepared to help in a crisis.”

Mr Groves, who lives next door to Mrs Davies, said it was his wife Michelle’s idea to hold a raffle in aid of Mrs Davies and their fundraising went from there with a number of events.

“Michelle and myself would like to thank all sponsors and everybody who gave to this charity and took part, plus a special mention to all those brave men who had legs waxed in a good spirit,” he said.

“We would also like to thank Vicki, Craig, Gemma, and Mags for jumping on board to help me and Michelle, who started off with £25 of our own money and this is the total over 10 weeks.”