Tragic inspirational fundraiser Stephen raises more than £3.5m
INSPIRATIONAL CANCER charity fundraiser Stephen Sutton who died yesterday has now raised more than £3.5m.
The death of the 19-year-old prompted countless tributes from political leaders, sports stars and celebrities who backed his campaign to help the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Stephen, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, died early yesterday, three days after being re-admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties caused by a re-growth of his tumours.
The donations to Stephen’s JustGiving page have continued to rise – and have now passed £3.5 million.
In an interview with The Sun when he was well enough, the teenager said: “You only get one shot at life. I need to make every second count.”
He added: “I’d much rather measure how long I’ve got left in terms of achievements, rather than time. How quickly the clock ticks is unimportant to me.
“What matters is raising awareness and raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.”
Stephen’s family thanked the hundreds of thousands of supporters who backed his social media campaign.
In a message on Facebook, his mother Jane wrote: ‘’My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son who passed away peacefully in his sleep.”
‘’The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey.
‘’We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many.’’
Stephen, who was diagnosed with metastatic bowel cancer aged 15, was visited earlier this month at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Speaking to the media in Downing Street after hearing of Stephen’s death, Mr Cameron said a ‘’very, very bright light’’ had gone out.