A CHARITABLE trust is to be set up for a brave teenager who has lost a 22-month battle against cancer.

Canon Lee School pupil Oliver Tarry, aged 15, of Clifton Without, York, died on Wednesday, a victim of bone cancer.

His parents, Simon and Kim, who are both City of York councillors, have decided to set up the Oliver Tarry Charitable Trust to raise money for research into cancer.

Oliver contracted cancer in his ribs in December 2000 and underwent chemotherapy treatment at St James's Hospital, Leeds.

In February last year, Simon raised £800 for the Candlelighters children's cancer charity by having his head shaved to show solidarity with his son.

After a hard-fought battle, which included an operation to remove a rib along with a series of aggressive chemotherapy treatments, Oliver was given the all-clear in January 2002.

Only a few weeks later doctors discovered the cancer had returned, this time in his face and in his hip and his back.

Although Oliver again put up a strong battle against the disease, his family was told nothing more could be done for him and he was admitted to Martin House Children's Hospice on September 30.

One of Oliver's last wishes was to be able to play with a monkey and on October 4 he was stabilised enough to be able to travel to Flamingo Land.

He fed and played with a gibbon monkey called Odo for half-an-hour and was shown around the park.

On Wednesday evening, only a few days after the visit, Oliver died peacefully at the children's hospice.

Family friend and former Lord Mayor of York Irene Waudby said the couple, who were too upset to speak, had decided to set up the charitable trust to help with the ongoing fight to find a cure for the disease.

She said: "I think they want to see if they can raise money to give to charities and to try to find a cure for cancer.

"They are hoping it will go on for a while so they can raise a bit of money and see what they can do with it."

Oliver's parents have asked that family flowers only be given and others should make donations to the trust.

The funeral will take place at St Mary's Church, Boston Spa, on Thursday, October 17 at midday, followed by cremation at York Crematorium at 3pm.

Updated: 10:59 Monday, October 14, 2002