THE family and friends of Devauden schoolboy Tom Walker, who died of leukaemia last year, have raised more than £50,000 for a cancer research fund in his memory.

Earlier this month, more than 650 people took part in a swimathon, called Swim for Tom, which helped raise £20,359.76, including a donation from Monmouth-based firm, Mandarin Stone.

Less than three months before he died, and before he knew he had leukaemia, Tom raised several hundred pounds for Cancer Research Wales by taking part in a night-hike up Pen y Fan.

Now Tom’s friends and family will be following in his footsteps with a night-hike of their own, up the same mountain, on March 22.

Tom’s mum, Debbie Walker, said: “If we tally up all of the money raised, the money in Tom’s fund is £50, 931.”

“We are half-way to our overall goal of £100,000. This is an incredible achievement which shows what an amazing and overwhelmingly supportive community we live in. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”

The tally includes money raised by Tom’s 11-year-old sister Emily who sang in Cwmbran town centre before Christmas (£229.23), a Christmas charity car park run by pupils in Town House at Monmouth School for Boys (£585), and collections made by a parent.