THE family of a boy who took his own life have donated money raised at his funeral to help buy special vests for two boys battling cystic fibrosis.

Darwen schoolboy Henry Tattersall was found dead at his Rossendale home at the end of November. Dozens of friends and family attended his funeral at St Nicholas’ Church in his home village of Newchurch.

A collection at the service, together with donations made to the funeral directors, totalled £180, which Henry’s family has decided to donate towards an appeal to raise money for a life changing vest for Noah and Jayden McGibbon, who both suffer from cystic fibrosis.

Other donations given to the family directly will be used to pay for a football kit for Henry’s former schoolmates at Brambles East School in Darwen, and to support a local disabled swimming club.

Henry’s mother Eve Tattersall said she heard about the appeal through Noah’s football team, and felt it was the perfect way to honour Henry’s memory, as he was a huge football supporter, and because Henry had suffered from social and communcation difficulties he had also needed extra help and support when growing up, and had had to regularly attend hospital appointments and assessments.

She said: “Henry’s death was a complete waste, and positives that come out of it make it easier to deal with.

“We wanted the money to be spent locally, and the appeal was being promoted by the older boy’s football team, and Henry was a big football fan.

“After speaking to the football team’s manager it was apparent to use that this vest is going to make a massive difference to these boys’ and their parents’ lives.

“They will be able to enjoy being parents to their children and not just carers.

“This is something Henry would have liked, and he would have thought they needed that little bit of help.

“Henry knew how upsetting it was, knowing he was different, knowing he couldn’t do everything other children his age could do, because he needed that additional support.

“There’s nothing now to help Henry, but these children can be helped.”

Henry’s family plan to attend a fundraiser in March which Sycamore United junior football team has organised to raise money for the appeal, and they will make the donation in person on the night.

The boys’ mother Lisa McGibbon said she was incredibly grateful that Henry’s family had chosen to support the appeal.

She said: “It’s really nice that some good has come out of something so sad.”