Lauren Dixon is a step closer to cancer treatment that could prolong her life after making quick work of her initial fundraising target.

Romford Recorder: Lauren (left) with Lia Dance at Lauren's Dance for Hope, The Cranleigh, HornchurchLauren (left) with Lia Dance at Lauren's Dance for Hope, The Cranleigh, Hornchurch (Image: Archant)

The Upminster mum-of-two, 30, now hopes to raise as much cash as possible to keep her on the £5,000-a-month course of Avastin she is due to start.

Romford Recorder: Lauren's friends collecting cash at HD Festival, RedbridgeLauren's friends collecting cash at HD Festival, Redbridge (Image: Archant)

Taken under a private health plan, the treatment she calls a “miracle drug” helped shrink her tumours over the course of 12 months.

Romford Recorder: Bill Slack, Lauren's old boss at Sheffield Insulations, raised more than £500 with a sponsored bike ride from Southend to BarkingBill Slack, Lauren's old boss at Sheffield Insulations, raised more than £500 with a sponsored bike ride from Southend to Barking (Image: Archant)

But when her insurance stopped funding it, and the NHS refused to cough up the cash, Lauren turned in desperation to her local community for help – and the support has been flooding in.

Romford Recorder: How the Recorder covered Lauren's story back in JuneHow the Recorder covered Lauren's story back in June (Image: Archant)

A month after she first appeared in the Recorder, fundraisers, sponsorship and donations have bagged £25,000 for the Lauren’s Marvellous Medicine fund – enough to start Lauren on the drug.

“I have scans due next week, and will be seeing the oncologist for results and a treatment plan,” she said.

“I’m overwhelmed that our first target has been reached, and just hope the fundraising will continue and we can raise as much money as possible to keep me on the treatment once I start it.”

Lauren’s Dance for Hope – a sponsored ball organised by Lauren’s friend Lia Dance – made an impressive £4,000 on Friday at The Cranleigh in Hornchurch.

And among the other supporters who helped Lauren scale her first peak were the staff at Dunelm Mill in Romford, who netted £1,500 through a series of fundraisers.

Meanwhile, her friends spent the weekend of June 29 and 30 shaking buckets at Ilford’s HD and Sundance festivals, raising £3,600 – including a generous donation from the festival organisers.

On Friday, a sponsored children’s football tournament at Upminster Park hopes to score more cash for the fund, while Saturday evening, an auction and party will take place at Ardleigh House, Ardleigh Green Road.

You can make donations through Lloyds TSB bank to sort code 771305, account number 25284868, or send cash through Paypal to laurensmarvellousmedicine@outlook.com.

Alternatively, call the Recorder news desk on 020 8477 3903.