A talented teenage footballer’s memory will live on – as lifesaving equipment is presented to two community clubs.

Connor Saunders, 19, died in April after an incident outside Tesco Express in West Street, Rottingdean.

Determined to ensure legacy lives on, his family, of Downsway in Woodingdean, have set up a foundation in his name.

Enough money has now been raised to buy a defibrillator each for Whitehawk and Peacehaven and Telscombe football clubs, both teams that Connor played for.

The life-saving heart equipment, which is worth between £1,000 and £1,400, will be presented before a friendly between the two sides tomorrow at 7.45pm at Whitehawk FC’s Enclosed Ground in East Brighton Park.

Jamie Denyer, Connor’s uncle, said: “The donation of the defibrillator machines will be a very overwhelming moment for us as a family.

“It not only pays further testament to the kind of person Connor was, how he was raised and what he did for people when he was with us, but also the good he will do and will simply save lives even now after he has gone.

“Through the Connor Saunders Foundation his memory will live on. He carries on amazing us, and making us proud on a daily basis.”

Charity fund

A dedicated website to manage the fund called Connor 5 has been set up which is being run by Connor’s sister Courtney.

It represents the number he wore when he played football but also the number of lives he saved when his organs were donated after he died.

Among the charity’s aims is to provide defibrillator machines for non-league clubs across Sussex as these teams are self-funded and cannot provide the life-saving equipment.

The charity will also look to provide vehicles to transport organ donors as well as football coaching by former professionals for disabled and underprivileged children.

For more details call 01273 301330 or visit www.connors5.com.