A DYING father has been offered �1,000 towards the drugs that could make his dream of seeing his younger son marry come true.

The donation takes Paul Cosson a step closer to the �20,000 needed for the vital life-extending cancer drugs that are not readily available on the NHS.

Fundraisers Janet Ellis and Zoiyar Cole, of Lowestoft, will hand over the cash at the Ipswich Town game today.

“There will be 20,000 people there and hopefully a few of them will realise that they too could make a difference,” said Mrs Ellis, 66.

She read about Mr Cosson’s appeal in the EADT earlier this week.

The football coach made the appeal after doctors told him an advanced form of chemotherapy, known as Cetuximab, could extend his life.

Referring to the donation, Mr Cosson said: “I have never been in this position before and you don’t realise what sort of people are out there and how they are willing to help you.”

He added: “I am grateful but nobody should really have to raise the money themselves.

“The hospital has put in for the funding but they are not meeting until December 9 and it is a long time to wait. I cannot afford to sit here and do nothing in case they say no.

“That is why we have taken things into our own hands.”

The 55-year-old’s wife, Julie, launched the “Paul Cosson: Fight for Life” campaign to raise the �20,000 needed.

Mr Cosson, of Jackdaw Close, Stowmarket, was dealt the devastating blow that he had terminal bowel cancer last year following a major operation to remove a 14in section of the organ.

Doctors told him the prognosis was dire and that he had between 18 months and four years to live.

He is determined to fight it as long as possible and make it through to May 28 – the day his son Dale, 30, plans to marry his wedding dress-designer fiancee Elizabeth.

However, he admitted yesterday: “I haven’t been feeling too good, to be honest, I am a bit nauseous and I don’t feel 100%. I get like this from time to time.”

To donate to the Paul Cosson: Fighting for Life campaign, call 07810 083829 or e-mail cosso123@hotmail.co.uk, or send cheques care of the East Anglian Daily Times, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.