RELATIVES of Ashley Tyler, who died of cancer at the age of 20, are making sure his memory lives on by launching charity Ashley's Wish Foundation.

Ashley, below, finally succumbed to bone cancer in October last year after a three-year battle with the disease.

But before he died, the former Burslem College construction student made a last wish to have a charity set up to help other people in his situation.

Wife Stephanie, who married Ashley in his hospital bed hours before he died, and his mum Rachel Roberts have now set up Ashley's Wish Foundation.

Their first fund-raising event takes place tomorrow as they run the Potters 'Arf Marathon.

Mrs Tyler said: "Ashley's death has just started hitting home and it's been horrible, but I'm getting there and I want to do things like this which would make him proud.

"Ashley had the idea he wanted to organise a sponsored head shave, but he didn't have time. I'd like to do something like that for the charity in future.

"I've been training for the run and I'm hoping to get round in four hours. I'll be thinking of Ashley the whole time and he will get me through."

The pair hope to raise £5,000 by the end of the year for patients at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where Ashley was treated.

Five months before he died, Ashley was granted £1,000 from the Ben Howard Memorial Fund to set up home with Stephanie. The fund was set up by Carol Howard in memory of son Ben, of Trent Vale, who lost his battle with stomach cancer at the age of 21 in December 2007.

Ms Roberts, of Cheadle, said: "That money enabled Ashley and Steph to move in together and that made him really happy. We wanted to do the same for someone like Ashley, if they have a place they always wanted to visit or there was something they want to do.

"The run will be very emotional. It's how everyone has held together to make a positive out of such a negative. We've had such a lot of support and about 10 people are now running with us.

"The charity has given us something positive to focus on and it means Ashley's name will live on, he will always be remembered. Ashley was so positive himself and his last wish was to help others, so he would be really proud."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Rachel and Stephanie on their Potters 'Arf run on Sunday can contact Stephanie on 07706 378510.

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