A charity has pledged thousands of pounds for the drugs and treatment for a cancer patient.

The Peggy Wood Foundation, set up by the late Peggy Wood more than 25 years ago after her grandson developed leukaemia, has offered to help Sheila Norrington, from Barming, near Maidstone, who has been battling bowel cancer for more than five years.

Mrs Norrington and her husband Goff said they were overwhelmed with the generous pledge, which could cost between £11,000 and £15,000 for the drug and associated treatment, but vowed to fight on for others that they believe are being denied life-prolonging drugs through the NHS.

Mr Norrington said: "It is brilliant news – the sooner it starts, the better."

Bryn Annis, chairman of the Peggy Wood Foundation, said: "This is what Peg would have wanted and this is what the charity wants."

The couple had failed to persuade the West Kent Primary Care Trust that Mrs Norrington was an exceptional case.