A Viking-themed memorial was held to mark the second anniversary of a teenager who died of cancer.

The unique two-year memorial on August 11 for William Low, aged 17, was celebrated with the sailing of a Viking boat around a lake, blasting Viking tunes, followed with activities and a barbecue.

During the memorial, The William Low Trust, a new member charity of the national Brain Tumour Research charity, was announced to help fund research in finding more effective treatments.

Mr Low was diagnosed with a cancerous medulloblastoma brain tumour at five-years-old, after complaining about head, neck and leg aches making him sick and tired. He initially underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy and soon recovered allowing him to return to Cannon Lane Primary School, Pinner.

The cancer returned at 13-years-old while he studied at Haydon Secondary School, Pinner.

Ealing Times:

Helen Low, his mother, said: “One of the things I am post proud of was him achieving good grades in all his GCSEs, including an A* in Art, despite the fact that he had lost the use of his right hand and had to learn to do everything with his left. This demonstrated his determination to get on with his life.”

After further treatment, he recovered once more but was unable to eat for weeks due to the chemotherapy burning his skin and damaging his mouth.

In July 2016, the cancer returned once again and in August 2017 he died.

Ms Low added: “The launch event included a Viking-type funeral, as Will had expressed an interest in having such a funeral a few days after he was diagnosed for the third time. He loved watching legendary heroic, historic films and series since he was little.”

Brain Tumour Research is calling for an annual spend of £35,000,000 in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers.