A TEENAGER who lost a leg to cancer has had his dream of competing in the 2016 Paralympic games boosted by a new fundraising website.

Kieran Maxwell, from Heighington, near Darlington, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in October 2010.

His illness, from which he is now in remission, resulted in his left leg being amputated at the knee.

Last month, he was fitted with two new prosthetic limbs – one for every day use and one to allow him to pursue his promising career in gymnastics.

Although he has two new legs, fundraising for Kieran continues, as he will need further expensive false limbs as he grows.

His parents, Nicola and Alistair, set up the Kieran Maxwell Fund to raise much-needed cash.

The website – kieranmaxwell.com – has been designed by London and Glasgow-based web design company Alienation Digital.

It has been created free of charge, to increase Kieran’s online presence as he aims to compete on a world stage in four years’ time.

A global petition has been launched in an effort to see artistic gymnastics included in the Paralympics.

The online campaign is gathering speed, although Kieran would be eligible to compete in the International Disability Gymnastics Competition, currently the highest level competition for disabled competitors.

Fundraising received a welcome boost earlier in the year, after the fund received a five-figure donation from Scottish Euromillions jackpot winners Chris and Colin Weir.

Alienation heard about Kieran through the nephew of managing director Neil Barr, who goes to the same school as Kieran.

The site is allows visitors to show their support to Kieran and his family, as well as providing followers with up-to-date information on his treatments and activities.

A donations bar allows donors to monitor the progress of the campaign as it nears its ultimate target.

Mrs Maxwell said: “We are over the moon with Kieran's new site.

“The agency approached us earlier in the year about developing the new website for us free of charge to help us boost awareness of our campaign and raise money for Kieran's prosthetic leg.

“The team at Alienation have been enthusiastic, outgoing and responsive, helping us to set up Kieran's new Facebook page, developing the beautiful new website and supporting us in the ongoing management and promotion of these online platforms.”

Other recent fundraising includes Shildon Scouts carrying out a sponsored skip, raising more than £130 and 16-year-old Leah Hunter, from Whitby, North Yorkshire, who ran the Junior Great North Run earlier this year.