A Northfleet woman is raising money to make sure a disabled mother can visit her cancer-stricken son - and carer for the last eight years - in hospital.

Richard Jenkins, 20, of Factory Road, was diagnosed with testicular cancer on October 12 and is a patient at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

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Richard Jenkins

Pippa Jenkins’ chronic back problems and financial difficulties have made it ‘almost impossible’ to make the journey to Fulham, south west London.

Sue Hart, 48, who runs a social enterprise which helps local people get back into work, met Mr Jenkins two years ago and has made it her mission to reunite the pair.

The London Road resident said: “I met Richard when he came to us looking for a job.

“He’s been a young carer for his mum for the last eight years and has missed quite a bit of school because he had to be at home with her.

“All his teenage years have been lost.

“He recently had a part-time job which gave him some independence but started to feel unwell so he went to see a GP, who referred him to Darent Valley Hospital.

“He was then told the awful news by doctors and I’m now trying to organise funds to make sure his mother can see him."

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Sue Hart

North West Kent Volunteer Centre provide a door-to-door service where volunteers use their own cars to take people to health appointments and to visit relatives.

The coach service will cost £50.

Mr Jenkins’ case has received some publicity already with Ebbsfleet United Football Club sending him a signed ball and two sets of four tickets for Christmas games.

Mrs Hart was full of praise for the young man.

She added: “He’s a real sweetheart and is so down to earth.

“Richard’s had so much medication that he’s given himself a superhero name – Pharmacy Man.

“It’s really upsetting because the only way he kills time in the hospital is by doing word searches so we’d love to get him a gaming tablet or something of that sort.

“It’s taken me at least three weeks to talk about him without choking up – he’s just such a lovely guy.”

Click here to make a donation to Mrs Hart’s Just Giving page.