THE parents of inspirational Tom Bowdidge have paid tribute to teenage cancer sufferer Stephen Sutton who raised more than £3million before he died.

Stephen, 19, from Staffordshire, died last week after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in September 2010.

A national social media appeal raised his profile, and his chosen charity, the Teenage Cancer Trust, has reported donations of more than £3million, with even more money being pledged since he died on Wednesday.

Nikki and Richard Bowdidge, parents of West Bergholt teenager Tom, who died in October after fighting an aggressive stomach cancer, said: “The Tom Bowdidge Foundation was deeply saddened by the news about Stephen Sutton and send their deepest condolences to his family.

“It brings back painful memories for us every time we hear of another young person losing their life to this vile disease.

“It also makes us more determined to take on their amazing spirit and continue to fight cancer until we have found a cure, especially teenage cancer.”