Simon’s just a big ol’ softie. The razor-tongued Simon Cowell — best known for his biting commentary and tough critiques on TV talent competitions like FOX’s American Idol — showed his softer side after donating more than $100,000 needed to help save a young girl’s life, according to London’s Daily Mail.

Last week, the notorious Mr. Nasty penned a check for $160,000 for cancer treatment for Sophie Atay, an 18-month old girl who was diagnosed with a rare form of the disease called neuroblastoma earlier this year.

Doctors say immediate treatment could raise Sophie’s chances of survival from just 20 to 90 percent and Sophie’s mom has been campaigning tirelessly for weeks to raise the more than $800,000 needed for experimental treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Manhattan. Luckily for the Atays, X-Factor star Alexandra Burke was touched by their story.

Alexandra alerted Simon of Sophie’s fight for life, and he generously paid the remaining amount necessary to get Sophie the care she needed.

“I’d told Simon about the situation and that there was no time to waste because Sophie needs the treatment immediately, and he decided to give her the money in a second,” Burke tells the Mail. “Now we’re hopeful Sophie will be on the flight to the U.S. today.”