My best friend helped me beat cancer - now I'm raising £300k so he can fight his

Danilo Talic, 13, whose cancer is now in remission, is helping Jamie Covington, 14, so his pal can access a groundbreaking trial in Germany.

He said: "It means a lot, just the fact that I get to help him."

Jamie was diagnosed with rare Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, in May 2023, while Danilo was found to have Non-Hodgkin lymphoma just two months later.

The pair, who go to Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, became firm friends while receiving treatment in the same ward at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Danilo was given the all-clear in September last year but Jamie's cancer returned four months ago. His pal has now vowed to help him fight the disease by raising money through sponsored events. Danilo said: "On the ward, it just felt so good to have someone understand me, being in the same shoes at the same time.

"It feels good to do this because I know that it will make him better."

Jamie, a big Arsenal fan, praised his friend's fundraising efforts, calling it an "amazing gesture".

He said: "It was so helpful having another friend with me in hospital that I could spend time with and play table tennis and Xbox. It was comforting and made things a bit easier. I want to say a huge thank you to Danilo for helping me to raise this money. It's an amazing gesture."

Jamie's mum Sam, 49, was full of praise for Danilo. She said: "It's incredible really. What a kind, nice thing to do for your friend.

"He could have just got on with things, but he's a lovely boy and friend, so he said, 'I'm really worried about Jamie and I want to do everything I can to help him'. It's overwhelming, incredible." Mum of two Sam, who was a marketing manager but now Jamie's full-time carer, hoped he would recover after lengthy treatment. His cancer affects soft tissue in the body, such as the muscles, and connective tissue, including the tendons or cartilage.

After tests revealed it had returned in May, they were told further NHS treatment was unlikely to cure it. So Sam researched alternative options.

She found a trial for an immunotherapy vaccine treatment in Germany, which could help Jamie.

However, she also discovered her family would need to raise £300,000 to cover hospital care, airfares and accommodation. Almost £94,000 has been raised. She added: "We're in a hurry to get things moving."

For further details: gofundme.com/f/life-saving-cancer-treatment-for-jamie