Tributes to leukaemia

TRIBUTES have been paid to the courage shown by a young care worker in his battle against leukaemia.Cedric Hammarton, 21, from Colchester, known to his friends and family as "JJ", had been diagnosed with the disease in January this year, but died last Saturday.

TRIBUTES have been paid to the courage shown by a young care worker in his battle against leukaemia.

Cedric Hammarton, 21, from Colchester, known to his friends and family as "JJ", had been diagnosed with the disease in January this year, but died last Saturday.

Despite facing draining chemotherapy and radiotherapy at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, the former Sir Charles Lucas School pupil kept his spirits up and kept smiling during his illness.

His mother, Portia Borley, of Ipswich Road, Colchester, said yesterday her son had been an inspiration to many throughout his life.

"He was extremely fun loving and lived his life to the full. He was always in a hurry to do everything," she added.

Mr Hammarton considered becoming a chef and had studied at Colchester Institute before deciding he wanted to earn an income and started as a care worker.

For the past two years he worked with people who had learning difficulties, which his mother said he shone at because he had "something extra" and had been so patient.

She added Mr Hammarton had remained a bubbly character throughout this tough year.

She said: "All the time he was ill, he kept his chin up – it was only later on that it really got to him and he did not have the energy, but he was still bouncing about and never had time for people who would feel sorry for themselves.

"It is such a shame, at 21, he had the rest of his life ahead of him. But he was a premature baby and was resuscitated at birth – he had told a friend that he did not think he would have a long life, so he lived it at such a hurry. He worked hard and partied hard.

"Everyone that met him always remembered him. He had a lovely smile that would just lift you up."

Mrs Borley added Mr Hammarton's grandparents, Erica and Eva, had been like second parents to him when he had been growing up.

Mr Hammarton, who had a younger brother, Lawrence, 14, was diagnosed with leukaemia after he was started getting tired and doctors initially thought he had glandular fever.

Mrs Borley said one of her son's happiest times had been when he visited family in Arizona, USA, in 1999.

A funeral service will be held on September 19, at 12.30pm, followed by a burial in the town's cemetery.