Last Wednesday (September 5), the Advertiser was there when their wives gate-crashed a board meeting of the Warwickshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) in Warwick to read out a damning statement.

And this week the PCT contacted Russ and Colin to say that new appeal dates in their quest to get the wonder drug Sutent had been set up.

Colin's appeal will be heard on Tuesday and Russ's was due to be heard as the Advertiser went to print yesterday afternoon.

Speaking after they read out the statement, Susan Howe and Val Jones said they thought it had got their message across.

Susan said: "When Val was reading it out I looked around the room at the board members and they looked pretty uncomfortable.

"So I think it had the desired effect and made them really think about what their decision has meant for us."

Val added: "The meeting agenda was changed at the last minute which meant I had to wait even longer to read it out. I was nervous but having come so far there was no way I could back out.

"I was later told that any public questions had to be submitted before the meeting started. So we were lucky not to get chucked out.

"But having the appeals set up gives Russ and Colin a glimmer of hope for now. They may not get answers immediately but at least things are moving forward."

Our Last Hope Campaign to raise funds and awareness for Russ and Colin is still going strong having already raised an impressive £3,000.

We aim to keep the appeal going for as long as possible to help Russ and Colin fund the drug if they continue to be refused it.

To donate to the appeal, send cheques to Ken McErlain, Rugby Advertiser, Charity Event, 2 Albert Street, Rugby CV21 2RS.