A TEENAGER who refused to let cancer grind him down is planning to start up his own charity to stop other youngsters from feeling isolated by the disease.

Arnie Higgs, 16, wants to reach out to other young people enduring gruelling operations and chemotherapy by setting up “The Smiling Face of Cancer”.

Just eighteen months ago, Arnie was recovering from lengthy cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with a medulloblastoma – a highly aggressive brain tumour – at the end of 2008.

Arnie, of Seymour Close, Laindon, is now in remission and is even beginning to build up his frail body in the gym.

Sports mad Arnie has already set up a “clan club” – a group for youngsters affected by cancer, where they can meet for a friendly chat and support each other.

The club has met once already, but Arnie wants to make it a regular thing by founding “The Smiling Face of Cancer” to raise money for nights out and day trips for young members to help them regain their confidence.

Arnie said: “I have thought about it a lot and I just want to do all I can.

“Part of the charity – which I can start right now as it won’t cost anything – will be me offering e-mail support to youngsters who might be stuck in their bedrooms not wanting to go out because they have lost their hair to chemotherapy.

“I know what that’s like. I didn’t want to leave the house when my hair fell out. I was like a skeleton and thought everywhere I went people would be staring at me.

“They weren’t of course, but it was so hard. My dad was brilliant, he would almost force me to go out and tell me to hold my head up high.”

Arnie wants any youngsters affected by cancer to e-mail him for a chat or with any questions they might have about their treatment or their diagnosis.

He added: “I’ve been through it all from start to finish and I’m still going through it now, with monthly check ups and tests, so whatever advice I can give to others I will gladly do so.”

Arnie is now studying for a social care qualification at New Campus Basildon. He hopes to eventually get a job working with cancer-stricken teenagers.

l Get in touch with Arnie by e-mailing arnie-higgs@hotmail. co.uk