Today marks a huge step forward in one little girl’s monumental battle against cancer.

In just six months, £250,000 has been raised for Ruby Young, which puts her half way to the £500,000 her family need to take the two-year-old to America for lifesaving treatment the NHS will not provide.

Mum Vikki said: “When we were sitting round the breakfast table in October and decided to start fundraising, we couldn’t imagine ever getting anything like this amount of money, let alone the total.

“We were in complete despair, and just thought ‘how on earth is this ever going to happen?’.

“Now we’re halfway there, how crazy is that? It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

“I can’t express how immensely grateful I am to everybody in words, but I hope all these people helping know how much I appreciate them so much for giving my little girl the best possible chance.”

The toddler, of Monmouth Close, Rainham, recently finished a high-strength course of chemo and is due to start a new trial drug next week.

Vikki and Ruby’s dad Rob are hoping the cancer will have been eradicated from her bone marrow and the tumour, which has wrapped itself around her kidneys, will have shrunk enough for it to be removed in an operation.

However if Ruby ever relapses, the NHS will only offer her palliative care, while doctors in the US have a strong record of being able to save children suffering with neuroblastoma with an expensive drug.

Through the last half a year, most of the fundraising has been organised by close family friend Anita Marinelli and Vikki this week called her a rock.

“We could never have got where we are without Anita. She’s doing an amazing job every day.”

The family were worried momentum would slow, but people are getting involved in Team Ruby with events each week.

“People really care about Ruby and its overwhelming to see. I hope it carries on and by October we have the money to give Ruby the lifesaving treatment she needs.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/RubyYoungJourney or text RLYJ88 and the amount you wish to give to 70070.