THE mum of Alexander Vinson has thanked the “amazing people” whose donations will see her two-year-old son fly out to America on Monday for life-saving treatment following an appeal to raise £150,000.

The youngster, from Dilton Marsh, needs proton beam therapy after he was diagnosed with rare brain tumour – Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT) – in July, but needed to raise the enormous amount of money after his application was turned down by the NHS.

A JustGiving page was set up by charity Kids ‘n’ Cancer to raise the £150,000 needed to fund his treatment, flight and accommodation costs with the Wiltshire Times supporting the campaign which has now reached almost £140,000.

And at the charity’s fifth anniversary party in Sheffield on Saturday, Alexander’s mum, Raluca, was presented with plane tickets and £5,000 in advance so that the youngster can receive the treatment as quickly as possible.

Mrs Vinson, 35, of Friars Close, said: “I’m obviously really happy that it’s going to happen.

“It was a big shock when I got the tickets, I knew we were close and that it was just a case of when it was going to happen.

“People are amazing, I never thought people could be so generous and we’re overwhelmed with so much support.

“Alexander is happy at the minute and is his normal self. Of course it’s a big relief and we’re very happy to be going there but it’s also a very scary time.

“This isn’t the end of it it’s the beginning and it’s a big opportunity for him but we have to be aware that what’s there is there.

“We need to be positive and we are being because if we weren’t I don’t think we would be here and we are taking everything day-by-day.”

Alexander, who has already had 80 per cent of the tumour removed in two eight-hour operations and undergone chemotherapy sessions, will fly out with his mum and dad, Philip, 41, to Oklahoma and be treated at the Procure Proton Beam Therapy Centre.

Dr Andrew Chang, medical director of the centre, was presented with a cheque for £100,000 for Alexander's treatment at the Kids ‘n’ Cancer anniversary evening where Coronation Street stars Tisha Merry and Oliver Farnworth, and former Apprentice candidate and Celebrity Big Brother winner James Hill also attended.

Kids ‘n’ Cancer co-founder Mike Hyman said: “It was a very emotional night and I think Raluca has just been blown away and she can’t believe a charity like ours exists.

“When you look at the whole concept this boy has got a very rare tumour but you have two oncologists, both in the UK and America, that both think that proton beam therapy can work.

“There are no guarantees though with cancer and you don’t know which way it’s going to go.”

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/actionforalexander/ or send cheques to Kids ‘n’ Cancer at Bridge Business Centre, Beresford Way, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 9FG. Cheques should include a note on the back stating it is for the Alexander Appeal.