Money floods in in memory of brave Ben (27)

Dave and Fiona King from Reedley, are delighted BK's Heroes has official charity status. They have raised around Â£30,000 after their son, Ben who died earlier this year, started fund-raising for brain tumour and kidney disease research after his terminal diagnosis.

BK’s Heroes is approaching the £30,000 mark after a wave of recent fund-raising efforts from all over the world.

It was set up by courageous 27-year-old chef Ben King before he died of inoperable brain tumours in February.

And fund-raising should now be easier for his parents Dave and Fiona who vowed to carry on Ben’s work, as was his dying wish, after the fund was given the green light for charity status.

Fiona said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have the charity status, it is brilliant news. We sent the forms off and thought it might take up to eight weeks before we had a reply but we had one within 24 hours. It’s great, Ben would be really proud.

“It’s real, and it’s all going in the right direction.

“We have quite a bit of money to come in. People have been doing all sorts; skydives, running the London marathon and I’ve had contact from someone who has just run the Sydney half marathon.

“XLCR have raised at least £4,800 already and 10 of their staff are doing the Great Manchester Run on Sunday for BK’s Heroes. When all the money is collected we will be up to £30,000.

“A group of us are doing a 14 mile walk from Fleetwood RNLI to St Annes RNLI, I have a cake and cocktail night planned and next year I’m thinking of a summer ball.

“We are so grateful to everybody who has donated so far, there are too many to mention, and to those who have activities planned to raise money for BK’s Heroes.”

Ben, who had also suffered with kidney problems from a young age, immediately set up BK’s Heroes after his tumour diagnosis in 2014 to increase awareness of brain and kidney disease.

Two charities working closely in those areas are to be the first to benefit from the charity.

Fiona added: “We will soon be making our first donation to Kidneys for Life which is at the Manchester Royal Infirmary and later in the year another will be made to Brain Tumour Research at the University of Central Lancashire.”