'I will carry and hold you in my heart for as long as I live': Mother's touching memories of Stephen Sutton posted online

These are the touching words by the mother of inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton who has taken a look back at his life and reflected on the legacy he left behind.

Jane Sutton posted the moving words about the Burntwood teenager on his Facebook page, Stephen's Story, saying it was an honour to have been his mother.

The 19 year old raised £3 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust while he was battling the disease.

More than £2m more has been raised since he died in May.

On the Facebook page, Mrs Sutton posted a statement which Stephen had written in 2011 which said he looked for no sympathy and that his diagnosis had ignited a passion to learn and a desire to succeed.

She also said that back in 2011, her son's 'bravery, honesty and joie de vivre shone through' and he remained strong, diligent and focused until his death on May 14.

The message, which has been liked by more than 14,000 people and received hundreds of comments, said: "Stephen your life may have been short but it was immensely significant and you demonstrated pure selflessness and positivity throughout.

"The feisty determined way you tackled each diagnosis never allowing your spirit to falter .What always shone through was pure Stephen bright as any diamond and just as tough. That brilliance will continue to shine for all time.

"Each of your astonishing achievements over the last 17 months of your life created another memory, another impression of Stephen to keep forever, another moment that cancer couldn't steal.

"With Stephens story you wittily detailed your day to day life and because of your positivity everyone will remember how inspirational you were and because of this you live on in the hearts of everyone you touched.

"You dared to put everything out there for everyone to see.

"By being so willing to share yourself so totally and with such honesty you defined the best of being human. I, friends and people you had never met loved you because of that."

The former Chase Terrace Technology College student drew up a bucket list of 46 things to do before he died, including playing drums at Wembley and getting a tattoo.

He was honoured with a posthumous MBE by the Queen and a posthumous honorary degree from Coventry University.

Mrs Sutton said: "Your love of life was amazing; seize and live every minute of every day.

"You knew that while you're on this earth, you had better have fun. You were the life and soul of the party with a wicked sense of humour.

"You loved your music and loved to dance. You were adventurous had no fear and lived your life with no regrets. Your enthusiasm gave people the push to start living. Your powers of persuasion were immense bringing so many people together united for one cause."

She said there was so much she had learned from her son, adding: "People have entered my life because of you; people have done wonderful things because of you and I am so proud of you.

"You created a strong, wonderful, vibrant, legacy. In life you were in a constant state of motion. A whirlwind, never stopping, or slowing down. Your vitality and intensity of expression reaching out to everyone.

"Stephen my beautiful, mischievous little boy who became a handsome, compassionate, inspirational young man. I will carry and hold you in my heart for as long as I live.

"You still kept that gorgeous smile on your face right through until the end – the smile that melted mine and everyone else's hearts .It was an absolute honour to be your mom Stephen."

Mrs Sutton posted the message on Sunday and so far more than 900 people have commented on her remarks.

They described it as beautiful words from an amazing mother.

One comment posted by Linda Henderson said: "Wow. What a woman who gave birth to such a tremendous man. I felt like I knew him by the time he passed away and my heart bled and bleeds for your family. Stephen was the strong, amazing, brilliant character because of his wonderful family."

Another from Carole Thompson said: "Beautiful, a perfect tribute from mother to son."