"THE fact that we've got to deal with all of this and we've got to source the money ourselves is very overwhelming."

Those are the words of Beau Dickins, who is trying to raise $50,000 in two weeks so his wife, Monique Dickins, can have lifesaving surgery to remove a rapidly growing cancerous tumour from her lung.

Monique Dickins, 25, moved from Burnham-on-Sea to Ahipara in New Zealand last year after falling in love with her husband, Beau, in 2015 and the couple are parents to Marlon, who is 18 months old, and Margo, who is five months old.

In February, Monique applied to become a New Zealand resident and she was required to have a chest X-ray to check for tuberculosis as part of the application process.

Doctors found there were some abnormalities with Monique's scan and on April 17 the couple were given the devastating news that Monique has a rapidly growing cancerous tumour in her lung which requires surgery within two weeks.

Beau, 28, said the couple have to raise $50,000 to pay for Monique's surgery as she is not New Zealand resident and they launched an urgent online fundraising appeal to raise the funds.

He said: "At first it was a shock but then they say it can be 10 different kind of things - they say it can be a shadow, it can be an infection in your lung, it can be pneumonia, it can be a tumour, it can be cancer. So at the time we were trying not to over think it, we were trying to be positive.

"It breaks your heart. I'm at home a lot because I've got to help with the kids because they're very close in age and it's very hard work.

"And then with that hanging over your head, who the hell can fork out $50,000? It just hits you like a curve ball."

The couple's fundraising appeal on 'Give a Little' has seen more than 500 people donate $40,000 to help them and boxers from The School of Hardknox Boxing in Highbridge are doing their bit to support them.

Bobby Jones, owner of Hardknox Boxing, will be cycling 40 miles from the club in Bristol Road to Brewer's Fayre in the O'Bridge in Taunton and back with boxers from the club on April 16 in a bid to raise funds for the couple.

He said: "Two of my boxers, Chris Leigh and Dean Gardner, approached me saying we had to do something and myself and the rest of the club agreed straight away.

"We put our heads together and thought this sponsored challenge would be a great way to contribute some well needed funds.

"We are all up for the challenge to help a young amazing mother in this hard time."

For more information or to make a donation visit givealittle.co.nz/cause/2-weeks-to-raise-dollar50000-for-mon