Stephen Sutton Vigil As Donations Top £4m

The appeal by teenage cancer fund-raiser Stephen Sutton has passed £4m as thousands of people attend his vigil.

The 19-year-old will never be forgotten because of the “incredible impact” he had on the lives of young people with cancer, said Teenage Cancer Trust – the charity he raised money for.

A two-day vigil has begun at Lichfield Cathedral, Staffordshire, with friends and well-wishers paying their respects to the teenager whose courage facing terminal cancer inspired millions across the world.

His coffin was taken through the streets by horse-drawn hearse as hundreds lined the pavements.

It was then taken inside the cathedral for the start of the vigil.

The cathedral was so packed, dozens stood outside the doors, hoping to catch a glimpse of the service.

The Dean of Lichfield, the Very Reverend Adrian Dorber, told the gathered mourners Stephen “in his all too brief life” had taught “how to make the unacceptable, beautiful”.

“He chose to share his exuberance with us, not his pain,” he added.

Stephen originally started the charity drive on his justgiving.com page  and hoped to raise £10,000, but donations continue to pour in from people touched by his example.

He died on May 14 after succumbing to multiple tumours.

Teenage Cancer Trust’s chief executive Siobhan Dunn said: “Stephen’s an extraordinary young man who has had the most incredible impact on the lives of so many young people with cancer.

“I think it’s really important there’s a public celebration of Stephen’s life and I think that’s exactly what he would have wanted.

“He was looking for us to put the fun into his funeral so hopefully we’re going to do that.”

Stephen’s mother Jane Sutton called for people not to wear black to the vigil, but to “do something to make others happy”.

Yellow ribbons have appeared around Stephen’s home town of Burntwood and other towns in Staffordshire, because of its association with summer – Stephen’s favourite season.

Before his death, he said: “I don’t see the point in measuring life in terms of time anymore. I’d rather measure life in terms of making a difference.”

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Stephen Sutton Vigil As Donations Top £4m