FAMILY and friends of an Urmston teenager who died days before Christmas last year have had a successful 12 months of fundraising in his memory.

Billy Molden died of bone cancer aged 14 on December 23 2013, with more than 400 people attending the popular Wellacre Academy pupil’s funeral at St Michael’s church in Flixton.

Over the past year, the Urmston community has rallied to raise more than £20,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust and Dreamflight, a charity that enables children with illness and disabilities to go on a holiday of a lifetime.

Fundraising that included the ‘Billyfest’ community event at Urmston Social Club earlier this year will now enable four poorly children to visit Disneyland in Florida next year.

Mum, Jane Molden, said: “The family and friends of Billy would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave their time and energy to make this event a great success.

“Also our local traders, for their generosity and kindness and to all our wonderful community for supporting us throughout this year and especially to Urmston Social Club who made it such an amazing day.”

Elsewhere, Billy’s dad, Gary Molden, carried out a charity skydive alongside five of his friends, plunging 15,000ft from the sky over Brigg, Lincolnshire at 120mph.

Billy became ill in 2011.He noticed a lump on his leg, which was diagnosed as a bone cancer.

He battled through chemotherapy treatment, not letting his illness get on top of him, despite losing 80 per cent of his hearing and having his left leg amputated above the knee.

Family, friends and all who knew him remember Billy as a caring young man who always put others before himself.

Dad Gary added: “I want to say thank you to all of my friends for their fundraising support and everyone who has donated so kindly. Billy would be truly proud of us all.”