At a scan on Monday, Ian Bowers, 40, who has a rare form of endocrine system cancer which has spread to his lungs, was given the good news that many of his tumours have disappeared and others reduced in size after just two cycles of Sutent.

His wife Jane Richards, 41, launched a fundraising campaign for the drug in September after the county's Primary Care Trust refused to pay — collecting around £13,000.

She said: "I'm sure if we hadn't pushed for Sutent, Ian wouldn't be here now.

"He was extremely ill and we certainly didn't expect him to see another Christmas.

"I want to say a huge thank you to the people who have given him this chance and, fingers crossed, it seems to be working."

After several radioactive treatments proved ineffective, Ian began online research into Sutent — an enzyme inhibitor — and found evidence it had shrunk, even eradicated, endocrine tumours in other countries.

He is thought to be the first person in the UK to receive the drug, which was approved by NICE for patients with advanced kidney cancer but not neuroendocrine, for his type of tumours.

The former care assistant, from Cromford, will undergo further treatment with Sutent in the new year but the couple are now focusing on Christmas celebrations with Ian's nephew Tom, 9, and nieces Millie, 7. and Connie, 4, in St Helens.

Jane added: "We're ready for a rest. It's been exhausting, an emotional rollercoaster.

"Now we've got this news we can relax for a couple of months.

"We can look forward to the New Year now and we wouldn't have been able to do this without the support of local people – they've been absolutely fantastic."

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust, said they took the greatest of care over every single funding request and considered treatment for individuals on a case by case basis.

She said three things were taken into account by the panel – clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and whether or not the patient would significantly benefit.