Mat’s foundation will help families in times of great need

Mat Davis, of Chase Meadow, Warwick, died of a brain tumour on Saturday November 3.

His final days were spent at Myton Hospice and he passed away with his family at his side.

Many turned out at St Mary’s church on Tuesday to pay their respects to the 23-year-old.

His loved ones have now launched the Mat Davis Brain Cancer Foundation, which will aim To provide help, assistance, counselling and guidance for the relatives and dependents of young people aged between 18 and 25 in Warwickshire who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Speaking at her son’s funeral, Mat’s mother Jo said: “Your life was turned upside down but that didn’t stop you, you were forever the optimist, a coper, never to be beaten, even when you were having a bad day and were always saying with a smile on your face ‘it’s all fun and games’ .

“You had no fear, you were courageous and tenacious, you were still giving in more ways than one but not giving up yourself, you were strong, a real fighter, inspirational, you never asked ‘why me?’ but always ‘why not me?’, a true hero and the word selfless springs to mind.”

Mat was told he had the tumour three years ago after he had suffered from epileptic fits.

But despite having to undergo treatment and face life with the uncertainty of what his future would hold he set about raising funds for Cancer Research UK, first by taking part in a sponsored leg wax and later by attempting to cycle from Land’s End to Jon O’Groats with his friend Matt Whatson - with the pair raising more than £10,000 for the cause.

Mat’s mother said: “The amount of peoples lives you have touched is phenomenal, a legend is what you are and your memory will live on forever along with the legacy that you have left.”

A moving video telling Mat’s story about his fight against cancer can be viewed on YouTube.

Click here to watch the video