More than half a million pounds has been raised in less than a year to send a little girl to America for life saving treatment.

Three year-old Ruby Young was diagnosed last year with aggressive childhood cancer neuroblastoma.

Ruby with her parents and brother, Freddy

Her family desperately wanted to send her to the US for pioneering treatment which the NHS doesn’t offer and which costs £100,000.

Ruby captured the hearts of thousands and the fundraising total has now reached the £500,000 target, which will fund follow-up treatment.

A phenomenal 85,000 people contributed via the ‘Donate £1 to help Ruby Smash £500,000 today!’ Facebook group, thanks to the efforts of family friend Anita Marinelli.

X-Factor judge Simon Cowell tweeted his 12million followers to say: “Ruby is a little girl who has been through a lot. She is very brave. I hope you get well soon.”

One Direction star Louis Tomlinson has also thrown his support behind Ruby’s campaign.

More than half a million pounds has been raised to save Ruby

Ruby, from Rainham, Kent, is currently undergoing her highest dose of chemotherapy which is making her very ill.

Her parents, Vikki and Rob, hope the medical trial will kick the disease for good.

But even if she responds well to treatment there is an 80 per cent chance of relapse.

Anita said: “I am shell-shocked we have achieved this. It just goes to show that anything is possible.

“Ruby has a fighting chance now. Whether she beats this is down to her own strength, but I made Vicki a promise that Ruby’s life would not be decided by money, and now it won’t be.

“The support has been overwhelming from the start and I’ve been on a mission to get this done.

“We’re all so grateful for what everybody has done to help, you’ve all given this little girl the chance she deserves.”

To donate visit: www.justgiving.com/RubyYoungJourney

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