A TEENAGER'S pledge to raise money for the air ambulance after it helped save his brother's life is being carried on in his memory by friends and family.

Matthew Bailey, 14, died last month after collapsing during a game of rugby for Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis.

Now his family is to carry on his wish to raise money for the air ambulance, a cause he took to heart when his younger brother Charlie almost severed his foot in a lawnmower accident in 2002.

Before his death the teenager, the eldest son of Paul and Pip Bailey of Newnham Farm, Broadwindsor, had helped raise £6,000 for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

His funeral was attended by over 400 people and mourners have raised another £2,000 in his memory.

Matthew's grandmother Janet Tubridy said: "Matthew's enthusiasm and plans for the future were visionary. His passion was to be a farmer and he had well-formulated ideas on the course he was going to take.

"On leaving school, as soon as he had acquired the necessary tractor driving certificates, he planned to work on New Zealand farms for a year before returning home to do an agricultural course at Kingston Maurward College.

"Then his zeal and skills would be for the benefit of the family farm; the 'future' was a phrase he often used."

His coffin was borne by a Case tractor and trailer and a guard of honour was formed by Matthew's rugby team-mates outside Broadwindsor church.

The service was led by the Rev Shirley Smith and his brothers Jack and Charlie both spoke, Jack, 10, with a poem he had written ending 'But I just needed more time to get to know him better' and Charlie, five, asking Jesus to look after Matthew and his teddy.

His mother Pip taught Matthew to ride at a young age and tributes were paid to him by the Seavington Hunt, Seavington Pony Club and Shipton Riding Club.

He was a keen sportsman and member of Marshwood Vale Young Farmers.

His teachers also spoke movingly of the boy with an 'infectious smile'.

Mrs Tubridy said Matthew had been planning a cycle ride from Lands End to John O'Groats in aid of the air ambulance and some of his friends are now talking about doing that in his memory.

His school is also considering ways of raising money in his memory.

Donations for the air ambulance are still being accepted by the funeral director, Wakely, of Beaminster.