ISLANDERS, relatives and friends are pulling together to raise money for a Canvey man with inoperable lung cancer.

Father-of-four John Stocking, 44, of Hannett Road, Canvey, was diagnosed in February, and three chemotherapy courses have stopped the disease spreading to his liver, chest cavity and lymph glands.

He was also offered radiotherapy, only for it to be cancelled because the treatment might have put a strain on his heart.

He said: “It’s one of those things. Nobody knows what lies ahead.

“I had some pains in my chest, and went to get it checked out.

“The fact it has spread to my chest cavity and lymph glands makes me inoperable. It’s extremely difficult, but you just have to get on with it and make the most of it.”

However, the painter and decorator hasn’t exactly been short of people to rally round and help him and his family.

A fundraising golf day at Castle Point Golf Club in April raised £3,500. while his cousin, Johanne Bevis, has raised more than £1,600.

Regulars at the Canvey Club also started fundraising and got enough to pay for his wife, Georgie, to learn to drive, so she could take him to appointments by car.

Mrs Stocking, 39, said: “We overwhelmed really. We’re so very grateful for all the support.

“It’s so heartbreaking what we’re going through, but we try to make each day special and go forward.”

When Mr Stocking was diagnosed, he and his family told doctors they didn’t want to know how much time he might have.

The idea was to allow them to enjoy whatever time they did had without a date looming.

However, they have received a timely boost recently, from a new advance in medicine.

In April, Mr Stocking was the first Southend Hospital patient to be put on a pioneering new drug to help relieve pain.

He says he’s pleased with how his body has responded.

He explained: “It’s very much my last hope. Within two weeks of going on to it, the pain started to ease.

“Before the drug, it took me ten minutes to get out of an armchair and I couldn’t lift a glass of water.

“Now it has got me up and about. I can even do some shopping with the wife.

“I’ve been told it has reduced the tumour in my lungs slightly, and cleared my liver. It has made me a different man.”

The Stockings got another boost from the news their eldest son, Ryan, ten, a keen West Ham fan, is to be the Hammers’ mascot for their home game against Chelsea on October 24.

Mr Stocking said: “It has given me something to aim for.

“If my treatment keeps going the way it has, I am really hopeful of getting to watch him do it.”

To support to Ms Bevis’s fundraising webpage, visit fundrazr.com, and search for “John Stocking”.