A GENTLE, loving dad who courageously battled a brain tumour has received a nationwide honour.

Dad-of-three Robert Williams, who sadly died in January this year, inspired fundraisers to collect more than £45,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity.

The Middlewich dairy farmer has been named by Roberts bakery as one of the nation's most Remarkable Roberts. The baker launched a TV campaign to find the very best Robert in the country.

The 44-year-old was nominated by mother-in-law June Wilkinson.

Robert left behind wife Sarah and their three children, Laura, Jess and Max to whom he was, according to June, 'a gentle loving dad, giving them all his time and energy'.

In her nomination, June explained how Robert’s positivity from diagnosis – and during the following 15 months of heroic treatment - was truly remarkable.

June said: “He was like a trojan, keeping everyone’s spirits up."

Upon diagnosis in 2018, Robert, Sarah, their children, family and friends set up Team Robster and it continues in his memory today. Thanks to their phenomenal efforts and such generosity, more than £45,000 has been raised, so far, for The Brain Tumour Charity.

“Following an MRI scan and subsequent biopsy, Robert was diagnosed with a grade 4 brain cancer that was both incurable and inoperable," said June. "Unfortunately, we quickly came to realise what limited treatment options are available and how underfunded brain cancer research is."

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Only 3 per cent of cancer research funding in the UK goes towards brain tumours and yet they’re the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.

“The care and support given to Robert, Sarah and their three children by The Brain Tumour Charity was exceptional,” said June. “Team Robster was set up to help advance research into glioblastomas and help others in the same situation. It’s also done wonders to keep us all focused during his treatment and since his death earlier this year.

Northwich Guardian:

Robert Williams and son Max

“Team Robster has so far completed sponsored walks, the Great North Run. As it didn’t take place this year due to restrictions, a 20-strong team ran the roads of mid-Cheshire in our very own Great Robster Run instead as well as many other fundraising events.

“The generosity shown by family, friends, colleagues, the local community and complete strangers is breath-taking. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us so far.”

When asked what made Robert most remarkable, June said: “Robert was so dignified and strong during his treatment. He was always thinking of his family and what they were going through, putting friends at ease when they visited him, always knowing what to say and how to say it.

“He never sought the spotlight and was modest in all his ways. He was dedicated to doing the best by everyone, especially his farm and family. Robert was such a thoroughly good guy and I’m so very proud of him.”

Helen Rogers, from the community fundraising team at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “It’s inspiring to hear that Robert has been chosen by Robert’s Bakery as one of their Remarkable Roberts. It’s a really fitting tribute to him.

"We continue to be so grateful for the incredible fundraising efforts of Team Robster and all our supporter groups. Brain tumours aren’t slowing down during the coronavirus pandemic and with the continued support of fundraisers like Team Robster, neither are we.”

The Brain Tumour Charity is at the forefront of the fight to defeat brain tumours. It funds pioneering research to increase survival, raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumours, and provide support for everyone affected by a brain tumour, and to defending the most amazing part of the human body.

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/sarahwilliams1763