Dad 'blown away' by donations to fund cancer drug

The Barrows said their children, Archie and Izzy, had been their "medicine" during the past 19 months

A father-of-two could be treated with a specialist cancer drug after donors raised £39,000 in just four days.

Jim Barrow, 40, was diagnosed with inoperable stage four bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver, in May 2022.

A series of devastating setbacks inspired his wife Nicky to fundraise in an attempt to pay for the drug Bevacizumab, which is not available on the NHS.

She said the family, from Earls Colne in Essex, had been "completely and utterly overwhelmed" after donations flooded in.

Mrs Barrow, 33, said their children Archie, eight, and Izzy, four, had been their medicine during a "really, really, really difficult" 19 months.

But she said "it would mean the whole world" if Mr Barrow, who she wed six years ago, was able to acquire the drug.

Nicky Barrow said her husband had been "through absolute hell and back" since his diagnosis

"He has been through absolute hell and back, so if we can make it that he's more comfortable and able to do things then that would be amazing," she said.

"It will give us that hope, that positivity - something to work towards."

Bevacizumab, also known as Avastin, is a targeted cancer drug treatment that is taken alongside chemotherapy.

Cancer Research UK said it targeted a cell protein that helps cancers to grow blood vessels in order to survive.

Mr Barrow would have to pay about £1,000 every fortnight to use it, his wife said.

But the online fundraiser has secured enough money to cover more than 18 months of treatment, having reached £39,000 at the start of this week.

Jim Barrow has had to gently explain the severity of his illness to his young children Izzy and Archie

It came as a huge boost for the couple, with Mr Barrow also being made redundant from his scaffolding job of 20 years.

His wife said they were "overwhelmingly grateful" and "blown away" by the response to the fundraiser.

"I've always known Jim has been a loved guy, but I don't think he realised how highly regarded and loved he is," added Mrs Barrow.

"He is in so much pain - that constant feeling of being ill - but he has got that push now. He's got everyone rooting for him."