ATHENS, Rome, the US and Disneyland are just some of the places Oxford University student Matt Greenwood wants to see during the remainder of his life after being given as little as six months to live.

The 21-year-old had been going into his fourth year studying engineering last month when he was told he had terminal bone cancer, with the sporty and adventurous student insisting he 'will not just lie there and let cancer win'.

Having been a rugby player and active rower in Oxford where he was vice captain of the St Edmund Hall Boat Club, Matt has describes himself as ‘sporty’, with travelling one of his greatest passions.

He has previously travelled to Africa, China and toured Europe and now friends and family have launched an appeal to generate cash to help him travel the world to get the most out of the rest of his life.

The appeal has smashed its original target of £10,000 in less than four hours. More than £40,000 have now been raised and the total now set at £75,000.

Matt said: “The support of my friends and family is all that has got me through the last 15 weeks, and I am so grateful for everyone who has been there for me.

I am not just going to lie here and let cancer win, I am going to travel and party and love, and get the most out of the remainder of my life.

“Seeing all the messages of support has been really touching. I am in awe of the love that people have are willing to share when times are desperate.

“I can only thank everyone so much for their amazing support and generosity.”

Matt was a member of the Oxford Engineering society and part of the Air Cadets, but was given the devastating news of his cancer earlier this year and later told he had between six and nine months to live.

St Edmund Hall will be holding a rowing ‘ergathon’ for Matt on Sunday, November 20, from 11am to 6pm in the front quad.

Fundraising efforts will help pay for his wheelchair and prosthetics, after he was forced to have his right leg amputated due to the disease.

He is being treated at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Birmingham and has so far endured two cycles of chemotherapy to fight the cancer which started in his hip, but has now spread to his lungs.

Doctors have told Matt the treatment has not been effective and he has been given between six and nine months to live.

After more than 100 days in bed and with the help of a physiotherapist, Matt recently took his first steps since the operation.

His mum Michaela Greenwood said: “I just can’t thank everybody enough. I’m usually not stuck for words, but I’m so overwhelmed with it all. All the hard work going into the fundraising has been amazing.

“I also want to thank everybody for being there so much for Matt over the last few months; the amount of visiting all his friends have done, the cards, gifts, games of monopoly.

“I strongly think that you’ve all made so much difference show to how Matt has coped, and I will always be grateful.”

Matt’s friend and fellow student Edward Baker, 22, said the 21-year-old hopes to travel to the US but does not yet know if he will be allowed to fly.

Matt’s Professor Keith Gull said: "The support and admiration for Matt has spread quickly to fellow students, athletes and friends in Oxford and around the world.

“Matt's predicament, his resolve, bravery and love of life have touched and inspired us. This young man deserves all that we can provide for him."