FAMILY and friends have been devastated by the sudden death of keen young Kent sportsman.

The funeral of 26-year-old Tom Kiernan took place on Friday with his mother Marie and father Peter leading the mourners.

Tom lived at home in Woodlands Road, Gillingham, with his parents, sister Joanna, 22, and her toddler son Morgan, and 18-year-old brother Michael.

He also had another sister, 25-year-old Helen, who has three young boys.

Tom died on Tuesday, July 19, at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. He had been admitted two days before after suffering a seizure. He had also had a seizure two weeks earlier which his family now know was caused by a brain haemorrhage.

The seizures were thought to be linked to a malignant melanoma on the back of Tom’s leg, which was removed two years ago.

Despite being told on several occasions the area was clear of cancer, the disease was slowly travelling through his body, where it eventually reached his brain.

His family was given the devastating news that doctors could only prolong Tom’s life, not save it, on the morning of July 19. Just a few hours later, he died.

Doctors told the family that because Tom was so fit, he had survived the condition longer than most would have done.

Tom became keen on sport as a pupil at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School near his Gillingham home, and continued with it at St John Fisher school in Chatham.

He was a member of Medway Rugby Club for around 10 years, having joined the youth squad and later played for the 1st XV. Tom has also played for Luddesdown Cricket Club for a couple of seasons.

Speaking from their home, Tom’s parents spoke about their talented, kind and active son. Mr Kiernan said: “We knew about the melanoma, but each time he had treatment for it, he was given the all-clear.

“He even kept one of the treatments from us, and told us after he’d had it, so that we wouldn’t worry. He took it all day by day and never worried about what was going to happen next.”

Tom had many plans for the coming months, including a trip to South Africa with work, and was hoping to start looking for a house to share with his girlfriend Claire Akehurst.

His funeral took place at St Thomas of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church, Rainham. He was buried at Woodlands Cemetery, close to his family home.