THE brother of a young man who died after a battle against leukaemia has released a charity single in celebration of his life.

Sam George, a music teacher at the Brit School, in London, wrote Broken last year while helping younger brother, Rob, fight against the cancer, which claimed his life last month.

Rob, a former Colchester High and Colchester Royal Grammar School student and member of Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club, was just 21.

Sam launched the single, which is available to download, in front of a packed London nightclub, including parents Philip and Lorraine, on Saturday.

Lorraine said every penny of the £1.58 download cost will go towards Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

She said: “If there’s an emotion to be worked through, Sam will write about it.

“It’s a very positive song. The words talk about that terrific courage you see with young people when they’re ill.

“Rob always refused to be broken by it, and it was very humbling to witness that kind of courage.

“The song is about fighting and being positive.”

Initially, Rob was treated sucessfully for leukaemia in June 2011.

When it returned last summer, a search was launched to find a bone marrow donor because of a rare protein in Rob’s blood.

He was due to start cord blood match treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, when his condition worsened.

Rob, who also leaves older brother, Tom, spent the last few weeks at Colchester’s St Helena Hospice.

His last words to his father were: “Be happy”.

Lorraine said: “The song was always going to be released in aid of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, but then Rob’s cancer took a very aggressive turn and there was nothing that could be done.

“Now we’re all behind Sam in trying to push it. The charity is doing well, but research needs massive amounts of money.

“They don’t just sit in a lab researching. When you’re struck down with it, they’re the people developing your treatment.”

Saturday’s event also launched the Rob George Foundation, which will strive to help young people battling serious illnesses, and those with special talents.

Lorraine said: “We have to try and look ahead and be positive and be grateful for all Rob packed into his 21 years.”

For more information, and for a link to the single download, visit facebook.com/therobgeorgefoundation