Teenage cancer-sufferer Kelly Turner has been given a major breakthrough in her quest for specialist cancer treatment.

The American clinic offering the care says the £1 million needed to fund it does not need to be paid upfront - meaning Kelly can undergo surgery once £400,000 is raised.

Payment for other treatment can then be paid later - but the 16-year-old’s family stress that the deadine for the surgery is now.

Kelly, from Dover, was diagnosed with a desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT) in October 2015 and was given two years to live.

After the NHS refused to carry out the costly procedure the St Edmund’s RC School pupils family found the centre in New York willing to do it.

And now her parents say that the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has agreed to perform the surgery for $500,000 (around £400,000).

Immunotherapy and other costs could be paid later.

So far around £289,000 has been raised.

Kelly’s dad Martin said: “This is absolutely for Kelly’s wellbeing and life.

“They can continue the chemotherapy but it’s having an effect on Kelly. It knocks out some of the bad cells but also some of the good ones.

“When people say what’s the deadline, the deadline is now. We need to get her over there now.”

Also the surgery can only be done if Kelly’s scan results are considered acceptable four weeks beforehand.

Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, said: “Our community has come together in an incredible way to raise money for Kelly.

Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, said: “Our community has come together in an incredible way to raise money for Kelly.

“But her parents have explained just how desperate the situation has become.

“They are getting very close to what would at least pay for surgery, and I am contacting NHS chiefs asking them to match fund what has been raised.

“But we might get to half a million just through local action. That is a testament to the hard work, compassion and loyalty of the people of Dover and Deal.

“Please everyone, for the sake of this wonderful girl and her family, keep going with your efforts.”

To donate to Kelly Turner, visit the Just Giving page or text 70070 with the code KPTF99 £ and the amount after the pound sign.