The family of a man who loved motorbikes is appealing for bikers to turn out in force for his funeral.

Robby Boynton died at Medway Maritime Hospital on October 19, aged just 26 following a series of health problems which began when he was two.

His family now hope the biker community can help give him a send off to remember, and judging by the reaction to his aunt’s Facebook post - shared almost 3,000 - that won’t prove to be a problem.

“My family belong to the biker community and we know what a great lot you all are,” wrote Ria Curwen, the day after his death.

“We are looking for some help with my 26-year-old nephew's funeral.”

She explained Robby, from Chatham, had suffered from renal failure aged two, followed by three separate brain tumours at the ages of six, nine and 11, and that treatment meant he never went through puberty, while extensive brain surgery meant he was left with various other medical issues.

“Despite all the treatment he grew to a whopping 6ft 2ins and had the look of someone you avoided in dark alleyways,” she said.

“But that didn’t reflect his character and personality. He had the most gentle and beautiful soul and loved everyone and everything.”

Most of all, she explained, Robby - or Robstar as he was known - loved people, trucks and motorbikes and would often go to his relative's house to help wash and polish bikes.

“He drew bikes, he watched bike videos and our family took him to watch motorbikes and trucks racing whenever he was well enough,” she added.

“Robby had discussed his funeral at various times and had expressed a desire for motorbikes to be involved during the process.”

Hundreds of people have since responded to the post, and the family are due to release details of the funeral - when they are known - to allow bikers from around the county and beyond to attend.

Originally from Princes Park, Robby and his family moved to Wayfield in 2001.

Robby - who has two brothers and two sisters - initially went to Lordswood school but attended a hospital school after his first brain tumour, at the age of six.

After Robby’s first tumour, he needed specialist teaching.

After Lordswood, he went on to further education at private residential school Bladon House School in Burton-on-Trent, to learn independence.

“The one dominant trait of Robby was his gentle and sweet nature,” added his aunt.

“He was loved by many and befriended people of all ages.

"He showed us all that even in the face of adversity and suffering that kindness and love can be shown and that ill health shouldn’t stop you from going out and trying to achieve your dreams.

“Robby didn’t have the life most 26-year-olds have but we can certainly give him the send-off he deserves.

"I work in the NHS and know from working with the public that ill health affects us in different ways but he truly was a remarkable young man and if his death can unite communities and at the same time give him the send-off he wished for, then let’s do this.

“Thank you to the biker community for yet again proving that community should be renamed family.

"The response to this post has had me in tears over the warmth and kindness shown."