The family of a Croydon boy who died suddenly from a brain tumour ten years ago are celebrating after raising £65,000 for a Sutton charity since his death.

Harry Jones was seven when he was diagnosed with the fatal cancer in 2001, and died just 17 days after doctors discovered there was something wrong.

He was days away from a wonder trip to see Father Christmas in Lapland, but was too ill to travel and died two days after Christmas.

His heartbroken parents, Tina and Dave, decided to turn their energies to charity after their son’s death and a series of glamorous balls organised by the family have brought in up to £15,000 a time for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust (SDBTT).

The money has been used to fund a major new initiative at the Royal Marsden Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, specialising in treating childhood brain tumours.

Harry’s mum, Mrs Souter-Jones, said: “We are so pleased that the money raised in Harry's memory is being used for such important work.

“The people and organisations who have helped us raise this money will be delighted. Harry would have been so proud.”

SDBTT chairman Neil Dickson said the money had enabled the charity to award a three year grant programme worth £510,000 to three research projects.

He said: ”We are very grateful to Tina and Dave Jones and their family for raising this substantial amount of money in Harry's memory.

“Although we have made major progress on some of the less malignant childhood brain tumours, unfortunately progress on the higher grade tumours has been very slow.

“We are hoping that the research will lead to new clinical trials for children with brain tumours over the next few years.”