They did it! Southsea newlyweds reach £100,000 cancer treatment fundraising target

CARING pals of a newlywed couple have raised £100,000 for life-changing cancer treatment in just over a month.
Georgia and Adam Long. Picture: Sarah StandingGeorgia and Adam Long. Picture: Sarah Standing
Georgia and Adam Long. Picture: Sarah Standing

In August Adam Long, 26, set out to raise the cash for the specialist immunotherapy treatment he needs, after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer in 2015.

And on Saturday after Portsmouth Rugby Club's charity match '“ The Hope Cup '“ raised £3,000 for newly-wed Adam, he and his wife Georgia were able to celebrate reaching their target. 

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More than 3,300 donations later '“ and with funds raised from events people across the city '“ Adam has been given another shot at life.

Portsmouth Rugby Club played the QA Hospital Medics on Saturday, with Portsmouth winning 38-12. They raised 3,000 for Adam Long, a member of the club - giving him the final push he needed to be able to go ahead with his treatmentPortsmouth Rugby Club played the QA Hospital Medics on Saturday, with Portsmouth winning 38-12. They raised 3,000 for Adam Long, a member of the club - giving him the final push he needed to be able to go ahead with his treatment
Portsmouth Rugby Club played the QA Hospital Medics on Saturday, with Portsmouth winning 38-12. They raised 3,000 for Adam Long, a member of the club - giving him the final push he needed to be able to go ahead with his treatment

Georgia, 24 and from Southsea, said: '˜Although it hasn't been added to Adam's GoFundMe page yet we realised after the rugby match we'd reached the target.

'˜It was such a big moment because it confirmed to us the treatment can definitely go ahead.

'˜It's amazing so many people have gone out of their way for us.

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'˜They've put so much time and effort into organising different things from events to car boot sales '“ this week there was an open-mic night at The Seagull in Portchester.

'˜I think people have done this because it feels nice to help. Almost everyone knows someone affected by cancer and you can't always help them, so it's nice when you are able to make a difference to someone's life.'

Adam's condition spread from his pancreas to his liver, lungs and peritoneum and at one point doctors said he only had weeks to live.

He has endured chemotherapy, radiotherapy and two operations, but has exhausted all NHS treatments.

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Immunology specialists at Southampton General Hospital are putting together a treatment plan for Adam while he undergoes more chemotherapy to stabilise his condition.

On Saturday Portsmouth Rugby Club played against QA Hospital Medics in The Hope Cup at the club's grounds and won 38-12, giving Adam the final push he needed.

Georgia added: '˜Adam even got to play for 10 minutes with his dad too, which was amazing, because he hasn't played since before he was diagnosed.'

Ian Douglas, from the rugby club, said The Hope Cup has been going for four years.

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'˜The day was just fantastic,' he said. '˜When Adam played it was non-contact, nobody touched him, but it was just lovely to have him playing with us again. There were about 250 people watching and now they've reached the target, it's amazing.'  Â