A fund which was set up to help a paralysed teenager is to continue in his memory.

Murray Watson, 19, died before he could benefit from the fund, but his parents say they will continue to collect money in his name to help other teenagers.

Once a promising footballer, Murray was struck down by an aggressive tumour on his spine last year. He was diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma, shortly after completing his A-levels at Guiseley School.   He had been planning to go to Northumbria University, but instead he spent six months in Leeds General Infirmary undergoing extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

His family and friends were trying to raise £21,000 to buy a special ‘stand up’ wheelchair – to give him a greater chance of independence. But sadly the teenager died in August before he had chance to see the wheelchair.

Now his parents, Nicola and Kenny, who live in Yeadon, say the trust fund will continue to support other teenagers who have been diagnosed with terminal cancer. They will aim to have three fundraising events a year. Nicola said: “As a family we are really strong but it has been hard. It has been a huge loss. A lot of Murray’s friends fundraised to buy him a specialist wheelchair and unfortunately he never lived to get this wheelchair.

“Murray was just amazing and he was a really strong character. He never felt sorry for himself.

“He was very athletic and for someone like that to become paralysed was just shocking.

“He was a very charitable person, so it is nice that his memory will be able to live on.

“He would have liked the money to help other people in that situation.”

Donations can be made via The Murray Watson Trust account, sort code   20-78-42, account number 70798924, or by post to 4 Coverley Rise, Yeadon, Leeds.