FRIENDS who vowed to raise cash for a Bristol musician denied funding for vital cancer treatment have raised almost £16,000 in their quest.

They rallied around Martin Moss, the entertainments manager and regular performer at the Prom in Gloucester Road, when he learned he had bowel cancer last September.

And when they heard that NHS Bristol would not fund a form of internal radiation he needed they decided to stage gigs, runs, skydives and bike rides to raise the cash themselves.

Already at £16,000, they have organised challenges to raise the final £4,000 needed to get Mr Moss the treatment he needs.

Mr Moss, 58, said: "The fundraising has just snowballed from music events to just donations and people doing cycle rides. It has been great. Everyone who has done anything is just fantastic. I have been humbled by it."

His partner Chrissie Hammonds, 58, a midwife, said: "Martin gets quite emotional because the support and love everyone has given is quite overwhelming. He is a much loved and well-known person."

By the time Mr Moss learned he had bowel cancer, the disease had already spread to his liver.

The tumours in his bowel were successfully removed but there was too much cancer in his liver to operate so chemotherapy was needed to shrink it.

Mr Moss, of Horfield, was told the best treatment would be selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), which has been declared safe but is not readily available on the NHS.

SIRT involves tiny radioactive beads being injected into the liver's blood supply.

When he applied to NHS Bristol, which is in charge of health funding, it refused despite the treatment being granted for patients in other parts of the country and in Europe.

When friends and performers at the Prom heard of his plight, they vowed to try to raise the £20,000 for him to be treated.

A series of fundraising gigs were held in support of the treatment fund and a cycle ride. Two friends are now preparing to undertake cycle challenges to help raise the final £4,000 while others are running for the cause and bar staff are going to take part in a sky dive.

A CD went on sale after musicians, including Ms Hammonds, offered tracks in his support. More gigs have also been organised.

After being in remission for several months the cancer has returned to Mr Moss's liver and his treatment will start in Oxford within two weeks.

Ms Hammonds said: "The funding for SIRT is a postcode lottery. People with cancer who live elsewhere in the country are being funded for the treatment.

"By us paying for the SIRT, it is saving the NHS money and if Martin lives a lot longer it will be cost-effective.

"We are not expecting miracles but this treatment has given us hope."

Richard Cranswick, 39, a data analyst of St Andrew's, will set off on a ride from John O'Groat's to Land's End on August 28, cycling 100 miles a day, while Terry Sutton Murray, 53, a music teacher, of Bishopston is cycling up the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps, the Col De L'Iseran on September 7.

Mr Cranswick first met Mr Moss when he was helping out with the accounts at the Prom and after receiving a bike for Christmas from his wife, it seemed the perfect fundraiser.

Mr Sutton Murray has been friends with Mr Moss for many years and will be cycling the 31-mile 6,414ft ascent for him, having driven in the area last year. He said: "When I heard about Martin's predicament I said that is what I am going to do.

"I have played here with various bands over the years like many people and I think the first words to come out of most people's mouths has been 'what can we do?'"

Mr Cranswick said: "I am one of the few people who cannot play anything. When I learnt that Martin needed the treatment and with the new bike, I thought I would go for it."

Last month coalition health secretary Andrew Lansley announced that a £50 million fund will be set up from October, but Mr Moss cannot wait that long – and NHS Bristol will not change its stance on the treatment that is part of an ongoing trial.

NHS Bristol spokesman Lawrie Jones said: "While it has recently been announced that steps will be taking to secure further funding for treatments and drugs for cancer which are not currently the subject to NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guidance, these plans have yet to be formalised by the Government.

"NHS Bristol was asked to fund this treatment for the patient via the Exceptional Funding panel but were unable to do so as this remains an experimental treatment with little evidence to support its use."

To sponsor Mr Sutton Murray visit http://sites.google.com/site/terryscharitycycleclimb/. Mr Cranswick can be sponsored via richardcranswick.co.uk

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