THE family of a toddler who died from cancer are channelling their grief into fundraising to help others with the same condition.

Tommy Lednor was diagnosed with brain cancer Medulloblastoma at just 18 months.

The cancer was advanced and he died a year later.

His mother Becky Tapp, of Cotswold Close, Worthing said: “It was horrific. A week after he was diagnosed I gave birth to my daughter Sofia.

“Tommy kept his spirits up, despite chemotherapy making him feel very poorly, but his cancer had already spread and he lost his battle in April.

Becky, 30, and her partner Todd Lednor, 31, an electrician, have been devastated by their loss as they try to bring up Sofia without her big brother.

Becky said: “I can’t even put into words what it is like to lose Tommy.

“We are not coping, we are just functioning.

“And we have been getting some fantastic support from Chestnut Tree House hospice.

“But it is very difficult because there are so many things Sofia does that remind us of Tommy

“I have memorised so much of Tommy and it is coming out in her. The way she dances is exactly like Tommy. It does upset me, but she keeps us going. We are always talking to her about Tommy and she will ask to see pictures of him.”

Mike Shiel, landlord at the family’s local pub the George and Dragon, organised a football fundraising event last August while Tommy was at Southampton General hospital.

Since then Mike has also died but Tommy’s family want to make the day an annual event to remember them both and raise funds for the Brain Cancer Charity.

The event will be held at Worthing Football Club in Woodside Road on Sunday. Kick off is at 10.30am and there will also be lots of activities for all the family.

“We wanted to do something for both of them,” Becky said.

A barbecue, facepainting, raffle and other entertainment will take place at the George and Dragon after the match from noon.

Becky said: “We are truly amazed by the generosity shown to us from local businesses who have donated wonderful prizes.

“And massive thanks to MD Sports Limited for making the kits which have been sponsored by Tarring Scaffolding Ltd and P&H Electrical Solutions Ltd.”