THE friend of a mum with terminal cancer has revealed her expensive chemotherapy treatment has not worked.

Family and loved ones of Stacie Rafton, 35, had raised £20,000 to help the mum-of-two pay for the private drug Avastin to slow down her brain tumour’s growth and give her enough time to spend one last Christmas with her husband, Kenny, and daughters Chloe, 14, and Sophie, eight.

However, Stella Snowball, Stacie’s friend who set up the crowd funding appeal, revealed on the TeamStace Campaign Facebook page that a scan had showed the medicine was not working and Stacie’s goal of spending Christmas Day with her family is hanging in the balance.

“Unfortunately, I’m very saddened to say that the scan showed that the Avastin treatment has not worked,” posted Stella.

“Stace asked that I tell you all she’s so very grateful and thankful to have been given the chance to try it. So, thank you.

“She cannot thank everyone enough, you all contributed to them being able to use their spare cash on making precious memories, while JustGiving’s funds paid for the Avastin.

“Now it’s about keeping her pain free and comfortable. Hopefully she will be home soon.

“Stacie, you’re an inspiration. I’m in total awe of all of you and the inner strength you all have.”

Mrs Rafton, a former carer, said she believed her troubles began when she was a 15-year-old.

Doctors said her headaches were due to exam stress and the tumour went undiagnosed until January 2015 when she suffered a seizure.

A tumour was discovered and surgery followed six weeks later, but the tumour was too deep in the brain to be fully removed.

After originally being told the tumour was benign, Mrs Rafton was diagnosed with Stage Three cancer and began radiotherapy, but it was unsuccessful.

The mum, who has been with her husband Kenny for 17 years and married for five, decided to try Avastin - a drug unavailable on the NHS - to prolong her life so she could have a final Christmas.

The family have spent the past weeks making memories they can cherish and went to Ribby Hall Village, near Preston, last week.

Although Stacie spent most of the trip in bed, she was able to watch her children playing.

The family will decide on how the money, which was supposed to be used for the treatment, will be spent.