THE mother of a teenager who died after a single punch was thrown at him has vowed a charity set up in his name will continue indefinitely.

Nineteen-year-old Connor Saunders passed away five years ago today following an incident in Rottingdean.

His mother Darran, 52, from Woodingdean, Brighton, said she was determined the family would never allow itself to become “bitter or twisted” by what happened to her son.

Instead, the family focus on the positives and celebrate their memories of Connor through their work with their charity.

Connor was a popular and talented footballer who planned to make the sport his career. He had already caught the eye of some non-league scouts.

His devastated family have spent the past five years dedicating themselves to the Connor Saunders Foundation, which they created after his death.

The charity’s work has a number of roles including installing life-saving defibrillators in schools and clubs and providing free coaching for children with disabilities at special schools.

The charity also carries out talks in schools, highlighting the dangers of what a single punch can do and encouraging teenagers to stop and think before making a choice that could change lives.

The family will today be spending time together, including going to a Good Friday church service and releasing balloons to remember Connor.

They include his father Shaun, 53, sister Courtney, 31, and brother Callum, 28.

Mrs Saunders said “It is five years now but the pain is still there, even if you are more able to cope with your emotions.

“People assume you get better with time but when you lose someone you love a part of you dies. You are not the same person you were before.

“There are times when individually we have our moments but there is always someone around to give support.

Connor saved the lives of five other people after his organs were donated.

Mrs Saunders said: “There are five families out there who have still got someone because of Connor.

“It is a comfort to know that five years on they are still doing well.

“I will always be grateful to have had 19 years of him and we will continue with the charity indefinitely. He would have loved that.”