The mother of a little boy who inspired many with his battle against cancer has marked the first anniversary of his death with a call for more people to become donors.

Keiton Knight died a year ago today after battling an aggressive form of leukaemia for four years.

The youngster's only chance of survival was a stem cell transplant but because he was mixed race a donor was impossible to find.

The fight to find a match received national attention with a host of famous faces including Premiership footballers Theo Walcott and Jermaine Jenas signing up.

The youngster's story also featured on national TV and radio.

Eight-year-old Keiton, from Hove, was a pupil at Hangleton Junior School.

He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June 2003 and had a course of chemotherapy but doctors warned his family it was unlikely he would ever walk again.

However he was up and about within eight months.

His treatment progressed until July 2006 when he suffered a relapse with a different type of cancer, acute myeloblastic leukaemia, and had to have more treatment.

Doctors suggested a blood cord transplant and Keiton was due to have the operation in January 2007 but doctors found the cancer had returned so the transplant had to be cancelled.

Keiton's condition continued to deteriorate until no more could be done for him and he died at home surrounded by his family.

In a moving tribute to her son, Keiton's mother Paris, 33, today calls for people to join the bone marrow register.

She said: "Words really cannot describe the huge hole Keiton left behind.

"This past year has been the worst of my life without him in it but asked if I would do it all over again knowing I would lose him, I would in a heartbeat.

"Keiton was the most amazing, beautiful, bubbly, funny cheeky little monkey, who won the heart of everyone who met him.

"I was so lucky to have him as my son and I miss him so painfully every second of every day.

"Wherever you are now my baby bear keep smiling that beautiful smile.

"My son should still be with me. There is no need for people to be dying because of a lack of bone marrow donors or a lack of stem cells being collected from umbilical cords.

"I never thought this would happen to my child or me, It can happen to anyone.

"So if you are reading this, do this for yourself, do it for your kids, your kid's-kid's.

"Join the bone marrow register. Find out how you can help with stem cells. Go give blood.

"Without the 100-plus blood transfusions Keiton had to have, I would have lost him so much sooner.

"I would like to say a big thank you to my family and friends who have helped me through this past year and to everyone who helped with the appeal for Keiton."

For more details visit the Anthony Nolan website at www.anthonynolan.org.uk or call 0207 284 12354.

Leave your messages of support to Paris and her family below.