An Oxenhope teenager diagnosed with bone cancer says he has drawn inspiration from fellow fundraiser Stephen Sutton whose positive outlook helped raise more than £3.5 million for charity.

Jacob Simpson was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer discovered in his right leg in August last year. The cancer was also found in his lungs.

He has just started a less aggressive form of chemotherapy at Leeds General Infirmary, and receives treatment once every three weeks, as well as daily radiotherapy.

Stephen, 19, from Stafford-shire, died last Wednesday after losing his battle with bowel cancer. He won a place in the nation’s hearts in the final few weeks of his life, raising more than £3.5 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Now Jacob, 18, says Stephen’s fundraising has spurred him on to raise even more cash for the same charity.

Money has been raised in the Yate Lane resident’s honour, including through the Jacob’s Ball, which was held at the Mercure Hotel in Nab Wood last month. The Bradford branch of Specsavers helped towards the £8,135 raised at the event with a photo booth.

Jacob said: “Stephen Sutton was a real inspiration to everyone, including me – the things he did were absolutely amazing.

“As someone who has been affected by cancer, I know where the money he raised will go. He has inspired me to do more for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

“The trust seems to be the first charity that isn’t just about curing cancer, it’s about giving people who suffer from it a better time.”

Jacob will be sitting his A-levels in psychology, media and biology at North Halifax Grammar School next year.

He said: “The support I’ve had from friends, family and even complete strangers has been absolutely amazing.

“I just want to get the chemotherapy out of the way now. I’m focusing on that. I want to get back to normal.

“This has been the first time in my life I’ve been missing school!”