Valleys community rallies to buy mum's cancer drugs

Caring neighbours have stepped in to pay for treatment for a mum-of-three because she can't get it for free on the NHS in Wales.

Amanda Elford, 43, needed "top-up" chemotherapy which is available to patients in England but not in Wales, so people living in Tonyrefail pledged their help.

Pharmacy assistant Amanda was diagnosed with bowel cancer in November 2012.

After an operation and chemotherapy she was given the all clear exactly a year later. But last month Amanda was told that the cancer had returned and that it was now terminal.

The drug therapy she now needs will not save her life, but would give her more time to spend with her family.

Amanda's sister, Sian, said the support that the community has shown has lifted her spirits. She said the whole family is 'overwhelmed' by the generosity of their neighbours.