A WAR hero’s family has worked tirelessly for another year to raise nearly £200,000 in his memory.

Colour Serjeant Kevin Fortuna’s relatives raised £21,000 this year alone - and have set their sights on a new fundraising goal of £250,000.

Kevin, from Colchester, was killed when he was struck by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2011.

The popular and respected soldier, who was in A Company, 1st Battalion The Rifles, was 36 when he died.

His family, who include in-laws Mike and Sue Jackson, and Kevin’s widow, Nia, started to fundraise in his memory in January 2012.

The money they raise is donated to veterans’ charity Help for Heroes.

Much of their dedicated fundraising has involved weekends spent armed with collection tins and braving all weathers in the Colchester area.

Mr Jackson, 69, of Lexden, said: “We started 2018 on £174,000, so we’ve raised £21,000 this year split fairly evenly between donations in my 70 collecting tubs and rattles in supermarkets, street markets, fairs around the county plus other one-off events and very generous donations.

“Even though it has been a warm and dry summer we masterfully picked out some of the worst conditions to rattle in.”

Events they attended included the rainy Essex Dog Day.

Mr Jackson joked: “From now on, Sue and I are Mr and Mrs Supermarket, specialising in Tesco and Asda where we average around £1,000 a day, don’t get wet and have access to welcome facilities.

“There was one Tesco venue, though, where we were housed in the Concorde wind test facility and came home botoxed for a week.

“Throughout the year we have received unbelievable support from our team of rattlers.”

The family also held a cycle ride in Kevin’s memory which raised £500.

Earlier this month they took part in the Walking Home for Christmas event at Fingringhoe.

Kevin was about to be promoted to Company Serjeant Major and had served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, the Balkans and Ireland, winning nine medals for his service.

He was leading a patrol when he stood on a pressure pad and activated a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

If you can support the family with their fundraising email mikeandsue.jackson@h4hcounty.org.uk or donate at www.justgiving.com/4tuna.