The legacy of inspirational cancer fundraiser and table tennis player Stephen Sutton lives on as the Teenage Cancer Trust celebrates its 30th birthday.

The 19-year-old, who played at Burntwood Community TTC, dedicated his life to raising money for the Trust after being diagnosed with the disease. He originally set a target of £10,000, but by the time he died in May 2014, the total had reached £3.2 million and has since soared to £5.8 million. He was awarded an MBE in the same month that he died.

The Trust this month presented Stephen with a posthumous award for his outstanding contribution to the charity. His mother Jane accepted it on his behalf from Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie at a virtual event.

Jane said: “I miss Stephen every day and I wish he was here to see all that he’s achieved. I always used to joke with him about his original £10,000 fundraising target – I’d say ‘well, you got that wrong didn’t you Stephen!’

“By the time he passed in May 2014 he’d raised £3million, but now we’re nearing the £6 million mark and his legacy lives on. Stephen’s fundraising has changed the lives of teenagers and young people with cancer. He wanted every young person to have access to the same support as he’d had throughout his cancer journey.

“I’m so proud to accept this award for Stephen and for him to receive special recognition as part of Teenage Cancer Trust’s 30th anniversary celebrations.”

See more about Stephen’s story in the video highlights of the virtual ceremony below:

Stephen’s story has previously been commemorated by the donation of a table to his former school, Chase Terrace Technology College in Burntwood, and another to Burntwood Leisure Centre.

That project was launched by Brian Watkins, the secretary of Burntwood Community TTC, and was supported by Table Tennis England.