by Simon Tulett

Cancer-ravaged mum Nikki Phelps has been granted an appeal against the NHS ruling that refused her funding for the drug which keeps her alive.

The mum-of-two is relying on financial support from family and friends to meet the immense cost of her £100 a day treatment.

Last week, KentOnline broke the news of how a Gravesend mother and baby group was rallying around in a bid to help their friend scrape together the cash.

Nikki needs £36,000 per year to live so she can see her two-year-old twin boys, Jack and Harry, grow up.

Since then NHS West Kent, which originally refused the 37-year-old funding for the drug Sunitinib, has written to the family to say they can appeal the decision.

The appeal will be a hearing into whether members adhered to strict NHS guidelines in reaching their decision.

Husband Bill Phelps, 45, said: "It (Sunitinib) is not only improving Nikki’s health situation, but it’s improving the quality of her life.

"Every tablet is another day and every day is a blessing."

NHS West Kent says there is not enough evidence the drug will be effective in treating Mrs Phelps’ cancer, a rare genetic condition called multiple endocrine neoplasis.