A young man who lost both parents to cancer has raised over £1,000 for Children with Cancer UK in their memory.

Mathavan Saseenthrakumar, 25, finance officer for Merton Chamber of Commerce, lost his father to bowel cancer in 2006 when he was just 16 and his mother to ovarian cancer in 2013.

Following her death Mr Saseenthrakumar took care of his younger sister Vithiyaa, 18, who was nine years old at the time of her father’s death.

Speaking of their relationship, he said: "We’re close, we look out for each other."

He plans to run the London Marathon with Children with Cancer UK’s race team on April 26 and held a bake sale in partnership with Merton Chamber of Commerce on Thursday which raised £160.

He has so far raised £1,350 on his JustGiving page towards his target of £2,000 for the race.

Mathavan also ran a stall at Love Wimbledon market last month handing out balloons and ribbons to raise awareness and money.

Fundraising has always been important to him and he previously raised £200 for Movember by growing a moustache in aid of prostate cancer research.

He said: "Fundraising has given me the opportunity to help charities like Children with Cancer UK and their brilliant cause.

"My past with my parents has also encouraged me to continue fundraising in the future."

To donate to the cause, visit the website justgiving.com/mathavan