FRIENDS raising money to send a dying mum home have exceeded their target.

The Highfield community rallied round Areej Altai, who has been given just weeks to live after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. The Iraqi mum - a student at Southampton University - will now be able to get home to her eight year old son Ali and son Ahmed, who are already back home in Iraq.

Campaigners have raised more than £60,000 to pay for a medical flight home. Areej will be hooked up to oxygen for the duration of the flight and will travel with a nurse back to her home country, where she and her family will be able to say their goodbyes.

As reported friend of Areej Deborah Fulcher Cornah wanted to raise £56,538 to pay for the flight, but the crowdfunding campaign has now reached £61,120.

The money was raised in just four days.

Deborah posted a "thank you" video online when the target was reached last night. She said: "It's been quite an incredible day."

She added: "In the event that we raise more money than is actually needed for the medical flight, we will give every bit of cash that is left over to Ahmed and Areej to pay for medical care back in Iraq, supporting Ali through school, other medical, personal and practical costs, etc.  Thank you for your support."