A SOLDIER battling brain cancer has thanked people who rallied round to help him and his family in their time of need.

Corporal Robert McCaigue, 32, is a serving soldier for the 42 Royal Engineers but has been posted to 16 Air Assault Brigade based at Merville Barracks in Colchester.

Robert, who is married to wife, Najette, 38, and has children, Harrison, four, and Teagan, six months, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2019.

He underwent surgery and radiation therapy to shrink the tumour, but it has since reoccurred and he is not now having treatment.

Robert said: “My prognosis is not great, but I’m still here.

“Bad news can be dealt with the ‘never give up’ attitude, discipline and pride, as that makes a good soldier.”

READ MORE - Award-nominated artist to exhibit works at north Essex gallery

Friends and his home community in Braintree have put on various fundraisers and sporting events for the McCaigue family.

There have been rugby and football tournaments, raffles, as well as family members running marathons to raise funds and donations, which now total more than £12,000.

Robert said: “We were so moved by this heart-warming gift from the town.

“All the fundraising that has been conducted on my behalf has inspired me to do my bit giving back, so I decided to write poems and create digital artwork.

“At first this collection of artwork was created just for my family for our memory boxes, but soon I decided to produce a small book of pictures and poems and it was suggested that I could sell them for charity.”

Robert has raised £1,500 for Farleigh Hospice to give it something back for its help and support.

Through the money raised for the family, they are hoping to put it towards future trips, such as the theatre, opera and a train trip to Scotland.

He said: “I’m determined to beat this horrific illness and I battle each day.

“I’m determined to keep working and not waste my time, not just lay in bed and accept my fate.

“Yes, my condition is very concerning, but I have so much to do, so I hope to press on.”

Najette said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the community and the army - it has been tremendous.

“We can never thank everyone enough.”

To support the family, go to the Gofundme link at bit.ly/33pEA9L.