A FORMER airman given the gift of life by his brother is hoping to achieve the dream of moving into a new home thanks to a veterans’ charity.

Property developer Andrew Worrall, who served in the Royal Air Force, was diagnosed with leukaemia at the end of 2011.

Despite spending five weeks at The Christie in Manchester having chemotherapy, the 27-year-old’s health continued to decline and after a series of severe headaches and seizures tests showed that the leukaemia had spread into his spinal fluid.

But the father-of-one was given hope by his 14-year-old brother Alex, who was discovered to be a perfect stem cell match.

In August last year, stem cells were harvested from Alex and transplanted into Andrew who is now in remission.

Andrew said: “Some days I am more tired than others, it often feels like three steps forward and one step back.

“I take 17 tablets a day and will be on penicillin antibiotics for the next 15 years. I am very grateful to my younger brother for donating his stem cells.

“I am getting a little better fitness wise but I am nowhere near what I should be.”

Since falling ill Andrew has been unable to continue with a renovation project that would see his family including wife Laura, 35, and nine-month-old son James move out of a cramped flat in Langwood Court, Haslingden, into a spacious home in Rishton Road, Clayton-le-Moors.

After hearing of Andrew’s plight members of Rossendale-based charity Veterans In Communities (VIC) decided to help the family reach their goal.

VIC manager Bob Elliott said: “We have many members with a variety of skills and we are all willing to help Andrew to carry out the jobs that he wants doing to complete the house so that his family can move in.”

“We would appreciate any support the wider community can give us to get the project finished as soon as possible so the young family can move in and start to rebuild their lives.”

VIC has also helped the family access grants from the Royal British Legion and RAF Benevolent Fund.

Andrew added: “Hopefully, with the help from VIC, I can get the house renovation finished and we can rent the flat out and live in the family home we always wanted.” Anyone who can help should call Bob on 01706 871730.