'Courageous' Stephen raised £5m for teenage cancer charity
'Courageous' Stephen raised £5m for teenage cancer charity
The mother of teenage cancer victim Stephen Sutton has said she is "immensely proud" of her son's achievements after it emerged that he raised almost £5 million for charity. The 19-year-old inspired the biggest ever fundraiser that the Teenage Cancer Trust has ever had. Stephen, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 15, became a household name as he approached his disease with good humour and stoicism. The charity today set out its plans for the £4,961,352 raised in Stephen's name though donations and Gift Aid.
My son Stephen was courageous and inspirational. His selfless fundraising and positive attitude touched people across the world. This money will make a significant difference to other young people with cancer and that would have made Stephen very happy.
Stephen's mother Jane Sutton
Around £2.9 million will be invested in the development or improvement or Teenage Cancer Trust units across seven cities in England and Scotland and £1.2 million will be spent on training cancer nurses and support staff. The teenager, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, won the hearts of thousands of supporters - including Prime Minister David Cameron and comedian Jason Manford - and made his trademark "thumbs up" sign a symbol of his positive attitude. In a YouTube video, he spoke of how he did not want "to be remembered as someone who didn't fulfil their potential". Teenage Cancer Trust chief executive Siobhan Dunn said: " Stephen trusted us to spend the money well and to 'keep doing what we do' and this is reflected in our plans".
I don't see the point in measuring life in terms of time any more. I'd rather measure life in terms of making a difference.