Cash needed for mum's cancer care

Terminally ill mum Polly Haydock with husband Dan, her mum Judith and children Darcy, 18, Emma, nine, and Alex, seven

Polly Haydock touched the hearts of people around the country, who heard about her plight and helped to raise more than £220,000 for treatment in Germany.

The 37-year-old has travelled there several times to receive treatment and it seemed to be making a difference.

But her health has deteriorated since returning to the UK and she needs more money to continue the treatment abroad.

Polly’s husband Dan, of Gadbury Fold, Atherton, said: “We are trying to raise more funds to get her back to Germany.

“At the moment she is in The Christie hospital and has been in there for about three weeks. That’s for pain management.

“Unfortunately the tumours have started to come back because she hasn’t had any treatment since January and we are struggling to raise the finances.”

Polly was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in October 2015 and last July she was given the news that she had just six months left to live.

Doctors said her life could possibly be prolonged by chemotherapy, but it would probably not be a cure.

She instead launched an appeal so she could go to Germany for immunotherapy, which she believes gives a better chance of survival.

Generous donations poured in and fund-raising events were organised, with comedian Peter Kay providing a £148,352 boost through two special shows in Blackpool.

But the cost of treatment means that 238,000 euros have already been spent.

The treatment is not covered by the NHS and a single immunotherapy injection costs 17,500 euros.

Dan said: “To raise the amount of money we did in such a short amount of time, and with Peter Kay putting in money as well, it was brilliant.

“But the downside is that paid for four weeks’ treatment in November and December and a week-and-a-half in January and that’s it.

“It seems like an impossible problem that we are facing.”

More fund-raising events are being organised to help the Haydocks reach their £410,000 target.

Polly’s Angels is now a registered charity raising money for her treatment, with plans to support other people needing treatment abroad in future when she no longer needs the funds.

To make a donation to Polly’s appeal, go to www.gofundme.com/my-children-need-their-mummy-2u9pnzg4.