When David Baldwin was diagnosed with cancer for the second time he knew he had to do everything in his power to get better.

The father, of Durham Road, Fortis Green, first battled the disease six years ago after developing breast cancer, which is rarely found in men.

After intense treatment he went into remission, but it re-emerged this year, spreading to his spine, lungs and chest.

The 53-year-old has been fighting it with a cocktail of strong drugs – but his hope now lies in travelling to Mexico for a radical treatment unavailable in most of the world.

He says a vitamin known as B17 – a compound found in apricot kernels – can ward off cancer but the treatment is outlawed in the UK.

His determination to overcome the deadly illness, which doctors say is at an incurable stage, is more than matched by the army of supporters rallying behind David, who needs to raise �40,000 to send him across the Atlantic for three rounds of therapy.

“The support is like an unstoppable juggernaut, I’m just amazed,” said David, a headteacher who taught at St Anthony’s Junior School in Hampstead for ten years and is now working at a school in Ealing.

About �22,000 has already been raised through hundreds of donations via Mr Baldwin’s blog, which has 200 registered readers.

Donors range from close friends to past pupils.

“When my wife suggested that I write a blog, I thought, ‘Why would anyone be interested in what I’ve got to say?’,” said David. “But I’ve been overwhelmed with supportive comments and people complaining when I don’t update it!”

Events arranged by family and friends have brought the total to �27,000 – a remarkable feat for just four months of fundraising.

There is still some way to go to have enough funds to travel to Mexico in January – the earliest date that David will be well enough to fly.

Future fundraisers include a gig where David himself will perform with his band, The Random Patrols, on November 30, and a Christmas auction on December 9.

He has also designed Christmas cards which businesses in East Finchley and Muswell Hill have agreed to sell.

However, David has benefited from more than simply financial support.

“There’s all these people rooting for us and praying for us,” said his wife Nicola, 47.

“Suddenly, Mexico feels like a reality.”

To read David’s blog visit www.davidbaldwin.co.uk