A TERMINALLY-ill cancer patient who was trying to raise �20,000 to fund his chemotherapy has been told it will be funded by Ipswich Hospital after all.

As Paul Cosson prepared for his first round of treatment tomorrow he spoke of his gratitude to everyone who has helped him raise a total of �10,500 so far.

He also told of his relief that he is now certain to get the extreme form of chemotherapy he needs to combat his illness.

Mr Cosson, of Jackdaw Close, Stowmarket, had been desperate to get the funding for the drug Cetuximab, which he hopes will help him live to see his youngest son get married.

The 55-year-old said: “The hospital rang me up the other day and told me they are going to give me the funding. I start my treatment on Tuesday.

“It’s a big relief because I know now that I will be getting the treatment I require. I will just have to keep my fingers crossed to see if it does the job.

“This has definitely given me a lift, but I’m a little bit apprehensive about how it’s going to affect me.

“I would like to thank everybody for their kind donations and support over these last few months.”

Mr Cosson said he is still aiming to raise the �20,000 in case he needs to fund further treatment in the future.

However, should his course of chemotherapy prove a success Mr Cosson said he would give whatever he raises to charity.

Mr Cosson has an aggressive form of cancer which spread to his liver after a tumour was discovered in his bowel.

When doctors gave him between 18 months and four years to live, Mr Cosson made it his mission to stand beside his son, Dale, 30, at the altar. Dale, who is profoundly deaf, is marrying his fiancee Elizabeth Presnell in May.

Mr Cosson has said if people wish to make a donation for his treatment fund they should send him a cheque made out to Post Office Ltd, as previous cheques to Paul Cosson: Fight for Life Campaign were not accepted by his bank.

To donate telephone Paul on 07810 083829 or e-mail cosso123@hotmail.co.uk, or send cheques c/o East Anglian Daily Times, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.