After two heart transplants, brave schoolboy George Hughes ' life was cruelly cut short at the age of 15.

Described by his close-knit family as a"true fighter", the popular teenager lost his battle after a rare complication set in as a result of the complex surgery which, up until earlier this year, had enabled him to lead a normal lifestyle.

Now fittingly "George's Army" led by his mum Jo Brazill and her close circle of friends will be embarking on a mission to raise money for a children's cancer charity.

The ultra half marathon fundraising is all the more poignant to Jo as she was undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer at a London hospital while her son was being treated nearby at Great Ormond Street.

Jo was able to cut short her medication so that she and partner James Hughes could be at his bedside where they stayed from March to August this year when George passed away.

Jo's mum stepped in giving up at work to look after their daughters Ellie, 19, and Kacey, 10.

Thankfully, the 44-year-old is now in remission and is focusing on raising money for the Young Lives vs Cancer charity in George's memory and to support other families going through what they have endured.

She said : "I have an amazing group of friends, some of who I have known since the children were at infant school.

"It would have been easy to stay indoors and do nothing, but we started going out for walks in the evening and that has really helped. And then we came up the idea of raising money for charity."

George was born a healthy baby and alarm bells only started to ring when he started to get chest infections from about five months.

He underwent his first transplant when he was was just two and his second at the age of 10.

When he was a toddler he was fitted to a giant artificial heart pump known as the Berlin Heart.

Jo said: "He was such a fighter and carried on as normal going to school and playing with his friends.

George, a pupil at Victory Academy, Chatham enjoyed school and in year 10 was looking forward to focusing on his favourite subjects, art, media and history,

Many of his friends wrote their own personal tributes in his order of service and some of George's talented artwork was also featured.

A group of about 30, including James and daughter Ellie,will be completing the ultra fast challenge 13-mile walk on January 28 from the Oval Cricket Club in south London.

Local businesses have leant their support including Sanjay Raval, owner of the City Wall Wine Bar in Rochester, who is hosting a karaoke night on Thursday December 15.

Roseway Coaches, a Chatham-based company, will be providing transport and a quiz night is being held on January 14 next year at the Co-op Club in Luton Road to boost funds.

Jo said:"I would really like to thank everyone who has rallied round. It has helped us a family to try and come to terms with this and hopefully it will help others."

To donate to the charity, click here.

To donate raffle prizes please contact Lemmy Freeman on 07586288330.