THOUSANDS of pounds has been raised for cancer charities, in memory of a young West Devon boy, who died after suffering with leukaemia.

Sarah and Peter Bruce, the parents of 9-year-old Daniel from Dousland, expressed thanks to everyone who attended his funeral at St Peter's Church in Meavy in February.

The donations collected amounted to £2,371.20, which has been split between CLIC Sargent and Derriford Children's Cancer Service (DCCS).

While recovering from a bone marrow transplant earlier this year, Daniel was keen to raise money for CLIC Sargent, a children's cancer charity that helped him and his family. He and his home tutor Frances Harland had the idea of putting a play on YouTube.

Mrs Bruce said: 'His class at school were studying Greek Myths, so Frances and Daniel read the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. Then they thought about Theseus' wedding in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and the play Bottom and his friends put on at the end of the play called "The Tragic Death of Pyramus and Thisbe".

'They watched some other versions on YouTube, and they were very funny.

'Daniel's version of the play is online, and his brothers join him in a silly dance at the end. We hope people will like it and that it will raise even more money for charity.'

Daniel's online donation page raising money for CLIC Sargent is still active. To make a donation visit http://www.bmycharity.com/danielbruce">www.bmycharity.com/danielbruce

There is a link to Daniel's play at the bottom of the donation page.

Mrs Bruce said: 'We would like to thank family, friends, neighbours, CLIC Sargent and DCCS, staff, parents and pupils of Meavy Primary School, South and West Devon Personalised Learning Service, organiser of the Leafy Lanes walks David Hocking and the congregation of Meavy Church for their continued support and care.

'We would also like to mention the marvellous support given to us by Morris Brothers funeral directors, to whom we owe our gratitude for the outstanding care, kindness and generosity shown to us above and beyond anything we expected.

'Since the funeral many friends, staff, pupils and parents from Meavy School have also raised money for cancer research by doing the Race for Life in Plymouth.'