A BLOXHAM soldier, who is battling to beat cancer, is being helped to live out his dream of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Sean Cain plans to join an expedition to Africa's highest mountain with the help of his Commando colleagues and a Banbury nightclub.

Sean suffers from bone and lung cancer, and a year ago doctors gave him a month to live. But he is defying medical opinion and is still a serving soldier.

He is receiving chemotherapy treatment, and his ambition is to prove his fitness by completing the climb.

On Friday, 65 of Sean's colleagues from the Royal Marine Commando 40 Unit, based in Somerset, arrived in Banbury to help Confessions nightclub raise money for the venture.

They joined a weekend of events at the South Bar club that raised £4,780, with money still coming in.

The Rev David Wylie, the Commandos' chaplain, said: "Sean is very ill, but he is still a member of the unit. The Marines are a close-knit community and they always rally round when one of their number is in trouble. Life in the Marines is very physical and the climb is something Sean wants to do to prove he can still do. It is being organised by Cancer Research, and it is the toughest challenge they get involved in.

"We needed a minimum of £4,000 to pay for the trip, which will be in October, and we exceeded that over the weekend."

Andy Cain, Sean's father, said: "Sean's latest chemotherapy treatment was delayed or he would have been here himself.

"It is great to see the unit here to support him. I know the Marines are a real family, and this turn-out demonstrates how they look after each other."

Reg Howe, the owner of Confessions, said: "Sean was a regular visitor to the club when he was on leave and we wanted to do something to help him. He is putting up a remarkable fight against his cancer, and we all wish him well.

"His pals did a great job when they came to town, and we are delighted to have raised so much money."