Friends and family have paid tributes to inspirational teenage charity fundraiser Jak Trueman, who died from a rare form of cancer last week, as someone who "touched thousands of lives on so many levels".

 

More than 600 people gathered to pay their respects to the charity fundraiser, who died aged 15, during the service in his home village of Mid Calder, West Lothian.

The youngster was diagnosed with a very rare form of blood cancer, known as Gammadelta T-cell lymphoma last year.

He had been set for a bone marrow transplant three weeks ago. Jak spent his last days fulfilling as many of his wishes as he could and trying to raise as much money as possible for charity.

He tried to fulfill all of his wishes, including taking his girlfriend Hannah Boyd to a prom days before his death on February 3. He set up a fund that has raised £50,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Many of his friends at his funeral at Kirk of Calder Church wore Rangers colours on the request of Jak's family, while more than 300 people stood outside listening to the service which was relayed by loudspeakers.

Jak's Rangers-themed coffin was carried into the church as his friends and classmates from West Calder High and team mates of his football club Mid Calder Colts watched.

Mark Traynor, 44, an instrumental music instructor who had taught Jak the tuba for many years, led the service.

He said: "I'm really proud to have taught the young lad. It's a sad day and he will be missed.

"He was a big likeable soul who always had a smile on his face."

Hearts and former Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander, who attended, said: "I truly feel blessed that I got to meet Jak and be able to call him my pal. I am extremely privileged to be asked to be the patron of his charity.

"I'm sure he is looking down with that smile we all knew and loved at the support here today. It just shows how many people loved and cared for such a special person."

Jak's mother Allison said he "touched thousands of lives on so many levels". She said: "This is every mother's absolute nightmare come true and the very last place I thought I'd ever be standing.

"But we are here and there is absolutely nothing we can do about it except honour my amazing, strong, brave, handsome, intelligent, loving, talented inspirational boy -- my son Jak.

"Proud is an understatement of how I feel about my precious son. Since he was born I have loved him unconditionally. "