A brave young man battling an aggressive cancer has undergone the first stage of pioneering treatment which is his last chance of beating the disease.

Charlie Davey's only hope rests with 'adoptive cell therapy' which involves removing tumour cells and using them to grow immune cells in the laboratory which will be be inplanted in him.

The 28-year-old is now recovering at his home in Wingham where he lives with his parents after an operation at the Royal Marsden Hospital to remove some tumour cells.

But he also needs expensive drugs, not offered on the NHS, to buy him time while the treatment progresses which family, friends and supporters have been raising money for.

So far, a Go Fund Me page set up by mum Andrea has raised a staggering £48,000 of its £71,000 target.

And she hopes to close in on that target with the proceeds of a sponsored 18-mile trek through the east Kent countryside on Saturday, September 19, which 70 people have already signed up for.

Charlie has been battling cancer since he was 19 when a malignant melanoma was discovered.

Despite numerous treatments and operations and some early success in suppressing the disease, it has now spread through his body and his last chance is with the revolutionary cell therapy.

Andrea, who runs a dog grooming business, said: "Charlie is glad to be out of hospital and now keen to get moving, although it will be a slow process as they had to cut through so many muscles and he's extremely sore.

"He’s disappointed not to be able to take part in the walk, but will be at the finish to greet everyone."

Charlie had ambitions to be a primary school teacher, like his partner Hannah, 24, but they were scuppered by his illness soon after he started his degree at Canterbury Christ Church University.

"He never complains and is such a lovely, kind person who we are extremely proud of...."

He has had numerous treatments and surgeries to remove tumours.

His bravery and determination is praised by Andrea who added: "He never complains and is such a lovely, kind person who we are extremely proud of."

His fight with cancer featured in a Channel 4 ‘Stand Up to Cancer’ documentary in 2017 called A Summer to Save My Life, in which he underwent new immunotherapy treatment which utimately failed.

Among the supporters of his Go Fund Me page is England and Kent cricketer Joe Denly who tweeted about it after hearing of Charlie's plight from his father, Nick Denly, who plays walking football with Charlie's dad, Neil.

The walk is along the Great Stour Way from Wye to Fordwich and 70 people have already signed up to take part.

To support the appeal for Charlie, go to www.gofundme.com/f/cancer-treatment-for-charlie-davey.

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