Friends and colleagues will line the streets to say a sad farewell to a popular paramedic who has died aged just 27 after a battle with cancer.

Rhod Prosser has been described as “one of the kindest, caring, intelligent and funny people you could ever meet” and his death has devastated his family and friends.

The Sittingbourne paramedic was planning to propose to his partner Hannah Webster, also a paramedic, before his death on Sunday, April 12.

She said: “He was amazing in every single way kind, courageous and incredibly loving.

“He fought so hard but in the end it was never a fair fight. I love him to the moon and back and then a little bit more.”

With only a limited number of close family able to attend his funeral on Thursday, April 30, mourners, including his many colleagues from the ambulance service, will be lining the road leading to the Garden of England crematorium in Bobbing from 2.30pm.

Rhod was a dedicated paramedic who studied at the University of Greenwich and had recently passed a further paramedic practitioner course.

He met his partner Hannah Webster, 25, at university when she was starting her degree and he was finishing his.

“He was a St John Ambulance cadet when he was younger and being a paramedic was something he passionately wanted to do.

“He had actually been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a few months before he developed lung cancer but it wasn’t affecting him.”

Rhod was forced to take sick leave in October after the lung cancer, a type unusual for someone so young, began to impact on his ability to work. Tests revealed he had metastatic lung cancer.

The couple had been together for five years and only after his death did she discover he had bought an engagement ring and intended to propose.

"He fought the battle with courage, humour and humility and he cared for others throughout."

She cared for him along with his mum Carrie who stopped work and moved into the home the couple shared in Ufton Road, Sittingbourne, for the last few months of his life and he died peacefully with his family around him. His death was not related to coronavirus.

“He fought the battle with courage, humour and humility and he cared for others throughout,” said Hannah.

Rhod leaves brothers Will, Dave and sister Annie as well as his mum, Carrie and step-dad Keith.

Dozens of heartfelt tributes have been left to Rhod on Facebook by his friends and colleagues.

Writing on Rhod’s page, one of his best friends and fellow paramedic James Clark said: “To face all the challenges life put in your way and still light up every room you walked in, is a testament to the man you were.”

Now he has set up a Just Giving page, called In Memory of Rhod, to raise money for Cancer Research UK which has already almost reached its £5,000 target.

Writing on the page, James said: “I’m sure we don’t need to tell those whose lives Rhod touched, but he was one of the kindest, caring, funny, intelligent individuals you could ever meet. He lived for his profession.

“Never one to let his illness get him down, he always had a cheeky, sarcastic comment that turned the bad news into something bearable.

“Cruelly, Rhod’s plans were cut short.

“Our brave friend fought valiantly, but it was never a fair fight.”

Another work colleague Rebecca Moody wrote: “Yesterday was quite possibly the worst day of my life... my heart will be forever broken.

“I’ve sat here for hours trying to think of the right words to say to do you justice... but I don’t think any amount of words will ever be enough.

“Rhodders... one of my best friends and the most intelligent ‘one of a kind’ person I knew.”

To support the fundraising in memory of Rhod, go to www.justgiving.com/team/TeamRhod.

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