THE family of a 13-year-old boy who died of leukaemia are appealing for blood donors to honour his memory.

James O'Mara, of Claines, was diagnosed with aggressive form of leukaemia, Acute Myeloid, at Worcestershire Royal on June 1.

He was transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital but died on Thursday, June 8 after battling the disease for a week.

James only started feeling unwell on May 29, and having no pre-existing conditions, his family believed he had caught a common sickness bug.

During his time in hospital, he used 89 units of blood products and as a result his family are urging people to donate blood, platelets and plasma to help other people as well as making a legacy for James.

His auntie Amanda Tanner, aged 41, of Battenhall, Worcester, said: "We are so grateful. He was given all the blood he needed.

"Because of they had not had enough he would died from needing the blood – at least he have all the resources he required."

James, a keen member of Droitwich Rugby Club, had recently started delivering the Worcester News.

Mrs Tanner, who works as a barrister, added: "He was always laughing, joking and smiling. He didn’t see the point in homework.

"He loved being outside doing anything that could be adventurous.

"He loved going out with his little brother. He did what he wanted – he knew what he loved.

"I’m really glad of that," she added.

On Thursday, June 29, a service of remembrance for James saw more than 350 people fill Worcester Crematorium in Tintern Avenue.

So far his family have also raised almost £2,000 and this will be donated to Birmingham Children's Hospital, the Children's Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF), a charity fighting childhood liver diseases and Bloodwise, a charity dedicated to funding research into all blood cancers including leukaemia.

For more information on James' story or to donate go to james.omara.muchloved.com.