An “inspirational” young man who courageously fought brain cancer has passed away aged 28, leaving family and friends devastated. James Barker, from Broadstairs, Kent, possessed a “joy for life”, was an avid footballer and runner and explored the globe while pursuing a career he adored.

However, four years ago, he started experiencing vision difficulties and headaches. In January 2022 medical professionals informed him he had an inoperable diffuse midline glioma, which typically carries a life expectancy following diagnosis of five to 15 months.

Despite his condition, James – the second eldest of four siblings – completed the London Marathon later that year whilst receiving chemotherapy and maintained his zest for living. After medical intervention and some alternative holistic therapy, he received news of remission in 2023.

But devastatingly, merely six months afterwards, the cancer had reappeared. James passed away peacefully last month, leaving the family home “feeling empty”. Now, his parents and siblings are committed to continuing his legacy of motivating others and remaining true to his philosophy: “I don’t remember the question, but love is always the answer”.

James’s father, Ian Barker, said: “He was a larger-than-life character in a lovely way and it’s hard to replace that in our house. Our hearts are broken at the moment. We do laugh more now than we cry, and that’s because of how James inspires us. I’m immensely privileged to be his dad. Proud probably doesn’t touch the sides.”

Mr Barker described his son as “effortlessly loving”, a sentiment echoed by many. “You hear how people say they light up a room – he did that,” he said.

“Throughout his life, even when he had his diagnosis, he showed no fear at all. In fact, the complete opposite. He embraced life and inspired people even more with his approach.”

James, an alumnus of Dane Court Grammar in Broadstairs, pursued sports technology at Loughborough University before securing a position at Hawk-Eye, a company providing VAR technology for sporting events. This role enabled him to travel the world, visiting various countries and attending numerous events.

However, at 24, he started experiencing headaches and vision problems. He was soon dealt the crushing blow of his diagnosis and informed that only palliative care could be offered.

James endured a punishing six weeks of radiotherapy and daily chemotherapy. Alongside conventional medicine, he and his family explored alternative therapies, including meditation and intravenous vitamin C treatment.

Remarkably, James was then given the all clear – but this relief was short-lived, lasting only six months before a routine scan revealed a new growth.

“But James continued to live fearlessly, and continued to inspire other people,” his father explained. “We’ve heard many people say recently they would just sit with James and they would literally shoot the breeze. Because of his joy for life, and he had a real goofy way about him, they would leave that conversation feeling uplifted and felt they could take on the day.”

James’s passing has profoundly affected his family and friends. Mr Barker reflected: “I’m grateful for the life he led and how he taught us and inspired us, not just us as an immediate family, but his wider family and certainly his community of friends.

“People ask the question, why James? Why at 28 was he taken?

“The common rationale at the moment is that those of us who knew James were blessed to know him. Some people don’t know a James in their lifetime. Most people don’t achieve what James has achieved in his 28 years.”

With this in mind, Mr Barker, alongside James’s mother Heidi and his siblings Lara, Ella and William, are establishing a foundation to continue his legacy. The as-yet unnamed charity will support holistic therapies for those battling chronic illnesses and “inspire others to heal”, exactly as their son and brother would have wished.

Establishing such a charity had been one of James’s ambitions. A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise funds ahead of the foundation’s official establishment.

A memorial service for James will take place at Queens Road Baptist Church, Broadstairs, on March 19 at 2pm. Everyone who knew and cherished him is invited to attend.