A legacy of love

But the courageous Dungiven lad's legacy is living on through the remarkable work being done by his family to raise funds for sick children at the Royal Belfast Hospital.

Last month Trevor's family and close friends raised a staggering 4,000, with money still coming in, through small events and collections in the area. The generous donations from the community and businesses throughout the borough including Limavady, Dungiven and Newbuildings, means that hundreds of children suffering from cancer and using the hospital's Haematology Ward, will benefit greatly from the extra funds. Trevor's grandmother Ray Service, who lives in Limavady and is heavily involved in the fundraising efforts, says she hopes the money will greatly improve the lives of those families and children who went through the same experience. The grieving grandmother also tells just how special six-year-old Trevor was throughout his 18 month battle with the disease.

Ray said: "He was just a courageous, brave, special little boy. Until he lost his hair no one would have ever known he was sick."

"He was very strong and always, always smiling. Every time the nurses visited Trevor in the ward, helped him with his treatment and medication, he never failed in saying to each of them 'thank you for helping me'."

It was in 2007 when Trevor was just four years old that doctors discovered a cancerous tumour. The little lad was referred to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children where he underwent an operation, 31 courses of radiotherapy and bouts of chemotherapy, but sadly passed away on February 13, 2009.

Ray continues: "Throughout his illness the support from the community was unbelievable. Over 2,000 was raised in lieu of flowers at Trevor's funeral, which also went to the Haematology Ward. After Trevor passed away the family wanted to in some way carry that fundraising on. My niece Flora Campbell and Cheryl Snodgrass decide that they wanted to hold something in memory of him and a coffee morning plus an dance was held. There were also door to door collections in which the community gave very generously. Businesses in Limavady, Dungiven and Newbuildings also donated to our prizes for the raffle held at Bready Cricket Club at the start of March."

Ray adds: "There is money still coming in but at the moment we are looking at around 4,000 to hand over to the hospital, which is unbelievable. Trevor's parents, Isobel and Samuel, would like to thank each and everyone of the people that donated so kindly and how much it is appreciated. We also would lie to thank the fantastic work that each and everyone of the staff at the Royal Belfast Hospital. They all deserve praise for they way in which they helped Trevor."

Such was the scale of the generosity of the people of Limavady Borough, Ray says that Trevor's mum Isobel, received a total of 1,000 in just two nights of collecting.

Ray continues: "We hope that next year we will hold another event in memory of Trevor to again raise cash for the hospital and sick children. It has just been over a year from when Trevor passed away but the support that neighbours, friends and the entire community are still extending to our family is out of this world."

Ray concluded: "We hope that through Trevor's memory we will be able to help in some way, the many children that are suffering from cancer."