For Joanne Wardrope, the pain of losing her teenage son Alex to leukaemia will never go away. But two months after his death she is determined to help others with the disease by forming a memorial trust in Alex's name. GLENN EBREY finds out more.

DURING the past two years Joanne Wardrope lived with a single purpose to look after her son Alex.

She did everything possible to help him, trying desperately to find the bone marrow donor which would save his life.

Then one day in January, it all changed.

Alex died and in an instant, Mrs Wardrope's life was turned upside-down.

Two months on, the primary school teacher has returned to work and is taking the first tentative steps towards getting her life back together.

But she admits the pain of losing her son in such heartbreaking circumstances is still raw.

Mrs Wardrope, of Sidewood Road, New Eltham, said: "I don't think anybody who knew Alex is ready to move on yet.

"I think about him every day. I think about him when I wake up, during every quiet moment in the day and when I go to bed.

"His family and friends feel the same too. It is not just my grief, it is everybody's grief."

Alex, who attended Crown Woods School, Riefield Road, Eltham, was diagnosed with Acute T Cell Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January 2004.

For two years he bravely fought the disease during the desperate search for a bone marrow match.

Alex died in January this year, just weeks after a match had finally been found.

Mrs Wardrope is now channelling her grief into forming the Alex McClaren Wardrope Forget Me Not Trust.

The trust will organise regular fundraising events, with all of the money raised going to Leukaemia Research.

Mother-of-two Mrs Wardrope added: "We don't want Alex's life to go unmarked.

"He was here for a reason and would have wanted us to help others.

"This means we can keep a part of him alive and in our minds."

Mrs Wardrope admits the trust is a necessary part of the grieving and recovery process for her family.

But deep down, she will never understand why her beloved son was taken away from her so cruelly and so soon.

She added: "It makes you wonder what life is all about if someone like Alex can still die after such a gallant battle.

"We all loved him very much. He was so brave."

For more information on Leukaemia Research, call 020 7405 0101. To join the Anthony Nolan Trust's national bone marrow register, call 020 7284 1234.

Friend going extra mile

ONE of Alex's closest friends is venturing to the far east to kick off the memorial trust's fundraising efforts.

Dominique Parr, 20, is aiming to raise around £3,500 by embarking on a 6,000km trek along the Great Wall of China.

The admin assistant is also planning to take part in a skydive and is organising a music concert in memory of her friend.

Ms Parr, of Ridgebrook Road, Kidbrooke, will wear a T-shirt featuring a picture of Alex during her walk.

She said: "Even though Alex is not here I thought it would be nice for him to see the world.

"We all miss him. He was such a lovely, chilled-out person and really funny."