OVER £200 was raised for a Cwmbran mother who is fundraising after being denied access to a life-extending form of cancer drugs through a bucket collection at Rodney Parade.

Deri Groves, 50, and his wife, Michelle, have been busy raising funds for their neighbour, Carolyn Davies, 47.

Phil James and Mike Sage of Newport Gwent Dragons club allowed the pair plus 12 others to bucket collect before a match on November 7, and the group raised £215.

A further £500 has been donated by staff from Newport’s Nationwide branch who raised the funds through numerous activities.

The fund is now nearing £8,000, but the fundraisers want to reach £10,000 by Christmas.

To help push up the total, Mr Groves is hosting a sell out hog roast and Santa event on November 22.

Mrs Davies was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2014 and after treatment she was prescribed Herceptin to try and prevent the cancer from spreading. But in May this year a biopsy showed she had developed a secondary form of the disease.

Her oncologist recommended that she apply for funding for Trastuzumab Emtansine TDM1, but she was denied on the grounds that she had not tried alternative treatment.

A spokesman from Aneurin Bevan UHB said: “To ensure appropriate use of NHS funds, a wide range of clinical evidence is sought to ensure that the treatment being requested is the right treatment for the patient.”

To help with the fundraising contact Mr Groves on 07514 820 325.