A nine-mile walk held in memory of an inspirational cancer sufferer who founded her own charity has raised thousands of pounds.

Relatives and friends of Grace Boxall have collected more than £4,000 for Smiles with Grace after undertaking the walk to mark the first anniversary of her death.

More than 200 people participated in the event, including staff and pupils from the schools the teenager attended – Chigwell School and Woodford Green Preparatory School.

Grace, a winner of the Recorder’s Young Citizen award, lost her six-year battle with brain cancer on September 26 2013. She set up her charity while she was in remission in 2011, but sadly the disease returned.

The 15-year-old’s father Peter said: “The anniversary walk was a great success. Without everyone’s support this would not have been possible.”

Peter and his wife Karen have agreed a collaboration with Dominic Thompson, Grace’s neurosurgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Prof Andy Copp, from the Institute of Child Health at University College London.

Smiles with Grace will sponsor a £58,000 project to help children with lesions on their spinal cords.

Read more:

Former Young Citizen winner’s legacy is helping sick children smile

Hundreds celebrate the life of teenager Grace Boxall at Hainault and Chigwell services

Inspirational teenager Grace Boxall loses battle with brain cancer days before 16th birthday