A 16-year-old boy with a rare cancer is set to get potentially lifesaving treatment following an NHS U-turn.

The family of Billy Wright was initially told that there would be no funding for proton-beam treatment, which experts say is the best way to deal with his cancer, a type called chrondoblastic osteosarcoma.

But following a visit to Switzerland for tests, the family has been told that the NHS will now pay for the treatment in Germany.

Family friend Tarquin Shaw-Young, who is helping to run the #Backbilly fundraising campaign, said: “The Swiss team, aware of how costs would escalate, and moved by #Backbilly, backed Billy themselves by putting their own powerful case to the NHS Proton Panel.

“We have just had confirmation that the NHS decision has been reversed and they will now fund Billy’s proton beam therapy, but in Germany.

“This is amazing news and Billy is so happy. The NHS reversed their decision due to the medical evidence gathered by the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, and as a direct result of the incredible support shown through #BackBilly.

“Without your generous donations and words of support and encouragement, we would never have been able to contemplate this journey to secure Billy’s future and get the treatment he needs.

“It has also been a great source of comfort and delight for our family to experience such overwhelming support from friends, family, the local community and well-wishers from around the world.”