A MOTHER from Basingstoke is hoping to organise a fundraiser to honour her "cheeky chappy" teenager who died following a month-long battle with acute pancreatitis.

As previously reported, Connor Hepworth, 14, from Tadley, was cared for by staff at the paediatric unit at Southampton General Hospital after gallstones passed through his pancreas, causing internal damage.

The Hurst Community College student was taken to Basingstoke hospital on June 1, just two weeks after he turned 14 when he complained of stomach pains. After Connor’s condition worsened, he was taken to Southampton General Hospital where he died on July 7, 2016. 

Paying tribute to her “cheeky chappy” son, Jenni Hepworth, previously told the Gazette “he was just a fun child and he wanted to make everyone laugh".

READ MORE: Tributes paid to 14-year-old Connor Hepworth who lost battle with pancreatitis

Staff and students at The Hurst School, as the community college is now known, have since placed a tribute on the bench on the school grounds where Connor ate his lunch every day, leaving notes and candles in remembrance.

Now seven years on Jenni hopes to honour Conner, who would be turning 21 on May 14 this year, by organising a fun-filled fundraising day at the school on the day of his birthday to raise for PICU Southampton Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

She said: "Connor always had a smile on his face so I want the day to be a happy one. He was a bit of a class clown really but everyone loved him."

Jenni said she hopes to organise a range of stalls to be set up on the day but also plans to set up a fundraising page for those who can't attend but still want to donate.

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Jenni, who works for a pre-school, added: "It really makes you realise how short life can be and working with children is the only thing that gets me through. I know they can come home with dirty shoes sometimes but they can be washed and I hope I can teach other parents not to sweat about the little things."

Roger Jones, who was headteacher at The Hurst School at the time of Connor's death, previously said it was a devastating loss of a well-liked, hardworking student who had a bright future ahead of him.

Mr Jones said: “Our school community has been saddened by the tragic loss of one of our pupils .”

Connor enjoyed playing football with his friends and the teenager, who had an older brother, was heavily involved in the Cubs and Scouts and became a Beaver leader.