THE CAMPAIGN to raise £20,000 for a Newport mum who needs specialist treatment for cancer has reached its target.

In January, the Argus exclusively revealed how terminally ill Louise Canning, 31, from Stockton Road, needed the money to undergo alternative treatment, alongside conventional chemotherapy, to allow the devoted mum to spend more precious time with her two daughters, Nicole, six, and Paige, three.

In just two months, thanks to the heroic efforts of Argus readers and local businesses, Louise is now assured of being able to undergo the treatment at the Dove Clinic for Integrated Medicine in Winchester.

Yesterday Louise's delighted first cousin Michelle Hamblen, 31, from Tennyson Avenue, Newport, who organised the fund-raising campaign, paid tribute to everyone who helped raise the money, and to the Argus for starting the campaign.

She said: "At the beginning the target seemed so far out of reach so it's amazing to get there.

"I just want to thank everybody involved and, if it wasn't for the Argus in the beginning, none of this would have happened."

Even though the initial objective has been reached, the campaign shows no signs of stopping.

Michelle said: "That £20,000 was a bench-mark and we hope the treatment is going to be successful. However, Louise needs on-going medication and treatment so I don't think it will stop completely."

Louise was diagnosed with cancer in her lungs, liver, breasts and bone just two days before Christmas and was told she had between six weeks and 12 months to live. But she received a significant boost in recent weeks when there were signs that the tumour was shrinking as a result of chemotherapy.

She hopes to be at a charity auction held in her honour at Newport's Celtic Manor Resort on Friday night.

Michelle said: "We hope she will be there but she struggling with a nasty virus at the moment."

The charity night sees the auction of personal items from rock superstars Feeder and Cardiff diva Charlotte Church, donated by the stars themselves. Entertainment will be provided by Rogerstone singer An-thony Moulton.