SCHOOLBOY Tom Claxton has refused to let a life-threatening brain tumour ruin his teenage years.

The 13-year-old, who was diagnosed with cancer last May, is still determined to continue with his passion for skateboarding, despite his illness.

Thanks to staff at the Yorkshire Building Society in Richmond, where Tom lives with his mother Linda Bailey and stepfather Robert, he can also spend time on his other passion - computers.

A fundraising drive by staff at the bank raised £76,000 to help Tom with his treatment and buy him a computer, through the children's charity Lifeline.

Extra funds raised will go towards helping other children with serious diseases in the region.

His mother said: "Tom is a real fighter and even though the treatment meant he lost his hair and was poorly a lot of the time, he has still gone out and done his own thing.

"He has some marvellous friends who have stuck by him - that has meant a lot to him and his family.

"We are so grateful for the efforts of the staff, especially Liz, from the Yorkshire Building Society, for raising so much money.

"We are moving back to Northallerton soon and I can bet you that the first thing Tom will unpack will be his new computer," she said.