THE inspirational life of a young Paralympic hopeful has been honoured by Team GB athletes determined to show his legacy to the world.

Eighteen-year-old Kieran Maxwell died one month ago in his Heighington home, near Darlington, after receiving a devastating third cancer diagnosis in seven years.

After losing his left leg to Ewing’s sarcoma – a rare form of bone cancer – in 2011, he vowed to have as much fun as possible throughout his short life and was on track to sprint in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

And now his fellow para athletic champions have ensured his achievements are not forgotten by proudly wearing Kieran Maxwell Legacy wristbands throughout the World Para Athletics London 2017, which ended last night.

Exactly four weeks on from his death yesterday, para athletic competitors high-jumping, shot-putting and sprinting to success could be seen crossing finish lines, taking medals and celebrating in Kieran’s honour.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Nicola Maxwell, Kieran’s mother, said: “Watching the World Para Championships, it makes us feel as though Kieran is there – part of the games.

“The support we have had from the athletes and coaches who are competing and those who aren’t has been so comforting to us, especially since it is only four weeks since Kieran passed away.

“These really are amazing people and thank you for keep Kieran’s memory alive.”

Dozens of athletes have worn the bright blue wristbands throughout the ten-day championships in aid of Kieran’s charity with its name printed in canary-yellow writing on the silicone bands, as well as his logo.

The determined teenager set up the charity in February in a bid to raise awareness for early diagnosis of all childhood cancers after stating it was his dream to help others.

The Maxwell family issued a statement after Team GB para athletes donned the wristbands which support research into fighting Ewing’s sarcoma and other cancers in young people.

The statement read: “All of the GB para athletes who are currently competing at the World Para Athletics Competition in London are wearing Kieran Maxwell Legacy bands to show support for him and his charity.

“Kieran Maxwell Legacy – a named fund with the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group – is raising money for research into Ewing's Sarcoma and childhood cancers in memory of Kieran Maxwell who passed from Ewing’s sarcoma last month.

“Kieran was a talented athlete who was on track for the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 in the T42 classification.

“He won gold at the Paralympic School Games in Brazil 2015 and before finding out his cancer had returned he achieved three personal bests at the Bedford Disability Championships in the 100m and long jump [in the] same classification as Richard Whitehead and David Henson.”

Athletes wearing the bands during the championships hosted in the London Stadium in the capital’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, include gold medal-winners Kadeena Cox and Richard Whitehead.

Silver medallists Jonathan Broom-Edwards, Jordan Howe, Kyron Duke, and bronze medallist Maria Lyle also proudly displays the bands during the competition.

After earning gold in the T38 class 400m sprint, Ms Cox tweeted: “This one was for Kieran – after my 200m I was disappointed, but I thought, what would Kieran do?! He always turned a negative into a positive! RIP a legend.”

Kieran Maxwell Legacy wristbands are £1 and available online by visiting cclg.org.uk/shop/kieran-maxwell-legacy/kieran-maxwell-legacy-wristband/