A charity established in honour of a boy who lost his battle with a brain tumour at the age of five has sailed past its fund-raising target of £21,000.

Max 21 was set up at the start of this year in memory of Max Panners, a "vibrant and fun-loving" child, who would have celebrated his 21st birthday in January.

Run by Max’s mother Tina and her close friend Abbi Hann, money raised is split between the recently-opened teenage cancer wing of the Royal Marsden where Max was treated, and Disability Sports Events which supports disabled athletes.    

Miss Hann, deputy head at Holy Trinity Primary School in Wimbledon, which Max attended briefly, said: "We are chuffed to bits.

"It really feels as though Max has made his mark.

"It did seem a large amount of money to aim for when we started, but Tina and I have done a lot of fund-raising before.

"On the 10th anniversary of Max’s death, we walked the Great Wall of China.

"Then, four years ago, we completed the Inca trail at Machu Pichu for Marie Curie.

"This felt like another thing we had to do."

Funds have been raised for Max 21 through a number of activities including a photography competition at Holy Trinity Primary School which raised £300.

Recently Miss Hann was recognised for her charity work by the English Federation of Disability Sport at an awards ceremony in Manchester.

She said: "Max was disabled for the latter part of his life and we knew he would have shared the same passion for sport that his family have."

"The Paralympic atmosphere made it feel very real for people and the whole community have helped us out."