THE COURAGE shown by a Dorchester schoolboy in his battle against leukaemia has inspired others to raise funds in his memory following his death.

Mum Jo Lee has been overwhelmed by the response that has seen hundreds of pounds raised in memory of son Peter, whose life was cut tragically short in January when he died aged just 12.

Peter’s two schools, Damers First School and Dorchester Middle School have both held events in memory of the youngster to raise funds for the charities and hospitals that helped him in his year-long battle with leukaemia.

The Parent Teacher Association at Damers held a disco and the school hosted a Ballroom Blitz event that helped raise £500 in his memory.

Mum Jo decided to spend half the money on a collection of computer games, Lego, colouring books and other toys that will go to the Piam Brown Ward at Southampton Hospital, where Peter had much of his treatment.

A presentation of toys and equipment from the rest of the funds has already been made to the Kingfisher Ward at Dorset County Hospital, where Peter was also cared for.

Members of the PTA presented Jo, stepdad Peter, brothers David, 15, and Steven, 11, and sister Jessica, seven, with the treats that will go to other patients going through what their Peter experienced.

Jo said: “We are really grateful to the PTA and we don’t know what we would have done without them.”

Stepdad Peter said: “The disco was incredible, we got so many people they were having to turn people away.”

Jo was full of praise for the care Peter received both at Southampton and the Kingfisher Ward.

She said: “Peter was at the Piam Brown Ward on and off for a year and the care there was spot on – you really couldn’t have wished for better.

“I’m pleased that other children are going to get the games in his memory.”

Youngsters at Dorchester Middle School also held a fundraising event in Peter’s memory, when they replaced St George’s Day with St Peter’s Day and raised more than £700 for CLIC Sargent.