THE death of a Bolton student from cancer has inspired a fund-raising campaign which has raised thousands of pounds within the space of just five months.

Gareth Mace, aged 17, of Chorley Old Road, Horwich, died last November. His loss has united fellow students with a leading Bolton company in a campaign to raise cash in his name for Cancer Research.

Gareth, who attended Rivington and Blackrod Sixth Form College, also worked for Warburtons in Bolton at weekends. And, despite losing a leg to cancer, he continued to work for the famous bakery firm almost right up until he died.

His bravery made such an impression on staff that they have donated £750 in prize money to his former classmates to honour his memory in their fund-raising campaign for Cancer Research.

The Warburton family has also been personally inspired to join in the fund-raising, Emma and Katie Warburton, twin daughters of the company's human resources manager, David, were among Gareth's former classmates who took part in a sponsored run and walk in January. Staff raised £100 in sponsorship, matched by a further £100 by company bosses.

The latest £750 donation is the proceeds of a Warburtons' win in an inter-bakery competition to find the best flouring and cutting techniques in the country. The bakery beat 10 other firms to win the trophy and the cash prize.