Family's bravery in face of tragic loss

Today we pay tribute to a young soldier and his brave family as they cope with his loss after a battle with cancer.

Jamie Robb was just 23 when he died in 2020 from a rare form of brain cancer.

For most of us, it is an unimaginable loss – but for his mum Maria and girlfriend Sophie, it was only too real. However, they are both thinking of others as they honour their muchloved Jamie, as they tell us today.

Jamie’s cells have been donated for research into the cancer, and his family are focusing on the help it will bring others.

“Although he is in heaven, he is still helping other people,” are Maria’s touching words.

Thinking of others at their time of grief is probably what the selfless Jamie would have wanted, from what the family have told us. Jamie’s approach to life was a lesson to us all.

He had hugely ambitious plans – but wanted to see others succeed to.

Sophie described what she saw as an “aura” around him, and would put other people first, and encourage them in life.

It as something the army saw in him too, after he signed up with the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Sophie said: "Following his army training, he was commended for his spirit of working in a team and being willing to help others – he even helped me to go back to university to continue my studies.”

Our thoughts are with Jamie’s family and friends as they continue to learn to live life without him, though all the richer for the precious time they spent with this inspirational young man.