THE mum of a five-year-old boy from York who died of a rare brain cancer is starting fundraising events to build a play area in his memory at his former primary school.

Blaise Etheridge-Clarke, who attended St Wilfrid’s School, died on Boxing Day, 2012, after a four-year battle with the disease.

Now his family, along with friend Cori Clarke, have launched the appeal to gather funds in his memory.

The first event is on Saturday at Acorn Rugby Club in Acomb, when York-based band Emperor Ming will play a fundraising concert.

The idea for the play area came from the school, and Theresa said she was thrilled that children would be able to play on the equipment and remember Blaise for years to come.

“Blaise was a big part of the school, and they were so lovely to him.

“All Blaise’s siblings going through the school – his brothers and sister Francesca – will be able to play with the equipment and it will mean something to them.

“Blaise’s name will be on the equipment so in many, many years to come people will ask who he was, and he will be talked about forever even after my children have left the school. To me that means more than words.

“Blaise was a major part of our lives and the school and I was dreading him being forgotten about. This way he will always be there, and the playground equipment is something he would have loved. “

Earlier this month Theresa hosted the first meeting of a special support group for bereaved parents in York, which she set up to give parents who have lost a child chance to speak to others who understand what they are going through.

The second meeting for the group will take place on the Monday, April 7 at 7pm at Clifton Alliance Cricket Club.

The Emperor Ming concert at Acorn Rugby Club starts at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £3. There will be a raffle with prizes including a family voucher for The Deep, a City Screen voucher, café, hairdressing and massage vouchers, and a beauty hamper.

They are available through the Facebook page Emperor Ming At The Acorn, Acomb, or from Theresa on etheridge8@sky.com