A YOUNG boy has helped his father raise more than £7,000 for charity following the death his mother two years ago.

Alexander Jones, ten, was just eight years old when his mother, Sarah, lost her seven-year battle with cancer in October 2003.

Since her death Alexander has helped his father Andrew, 37, raise £4,400 for the Macmillan Cancer Relief and more than £3,000 for the Child Bereavement Trust.

Sarah worked as a physiotherapist at Wycombe Hospital.

Mr Jones is very proud of how his son has got involved with the organising of the event.

He said: "Alex has coped remarkably well and these fundraising efforts have helped his rehabilitation.

"The support of local people and the network of friends that Sarah cultivated has helped and given him a positive focus to keep his mother's memory alive."

Mr Jones, a marketing director, moved with his wife to Marlow in 1998.

Immediately after she died he managed to raise £11,000 for Cancer Care Preston, where they were both from.

Mr Jones organised a ball in October last year at Phyllis Court Club in Henley to mark the first anniversary of his wife's death. The event alone raised more than £7,000 which was split between two charities.

Mr Jones said: "It's been fantastic and a good testament to Sarah. She had a smile for everybody and a lot of people couldn't believe she was ill because she managed to hide it so well.

"Without the help of three friends, in particular Karine Macdonald, Liz Clarke and Lyndsey Carter, the ball just would not have happened."

Macmillan's Michelle Duma said: "Alex is a very positive and delightful young boy."