A fundraising campaign has brought in more than £1,000 to help support a mother and her son, who is battling cancer.

Richard Jenkins, 20, of Factory Road, Gravesend, is receiving treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in south west London.

His mother Pippa suffers from back problems and has financial difficulties, making it impossible for her to make the journey without help.

The picture is looking brighter, however, after 48-year-old Sue Hart, from Northfleet, started her fundraising effort.

The cash came rolling in, making it easier for Mrs Jenkins to travel to London and giving Richard a boost in his battle against the disease.

“I know Richard because I had a job club in Northfleet and he was a client of mine a couple of years ago,” said Mrs Hart.

“He was a carer at the time, looking after his mum, and so he wanted a part-time job. We spoke to Kent County Council and began a package of support for Richard, freeing up his time but also making sure his mother was still looked after but shortly after he got a job he found out he had testicular cancer. It was quite advanced.”

“It was very difficult for his mother to get up to London to see him and that was when we started fundraising.”

“The idea was to pay for the transport costs so that she could get up there and Richard could see his mum. Even when you are 20 you still need your mum.”

The response to Mrs Hart’s campaign has been beyond her wildest dreams. A total of £1,170 has been raised via a Just Giving page alone.

Mrs Hart said: ”The donations break my heart a little bit, when you see people in this time of austerity still managing to spare £5 for us.”

A separate £500 donation also arrived from the Liam Fairhurst Foundation, a charity for young people affected by cancer, disabilities and illness.

The foundation’s generosity, coupled with support from the NHS, means the transport issue has been dealt with, and the focus has now switched to making Richard’s life as comfortable as possible during a strenuous treatment process.

“His treatment plan is to be in hospital for five days, then out for two weeks, and that will go on for nine months,” said Mrs Hart.

“Richard hasn’t got the best home life so we’re trying to make it as comfortable as possible for him.

“We intend to use any money raised to make Richard’s life easier.”

“Someone donated a laptop, which he loves. He only had a book of word games in the hospital, so he’s in love with the laptop!”

The campaign also attracted the attention of Ebbsfleet United, which sent Sue a signed football and match tickets for a charity raffle.