Fundraising parents near their target for son Taran

A FAMILY'S fundraising for a memorial for their soldier son Lance Corporal Taran Cheeseman is close to reaching its target after two years of organising and charity events.

Tracey and Steven Cheeseman have managed to raise just over �7,000 which they will put towards building a memorial at St. Peter's Church for the Mansfield soldier, who was killed by an aggressive form of cancer two years ago.

Taran's family are hoping to raise �10,000 and still have more charity events planned for their son who died at the age of 21 after falling ill while serving in Afghanistan.

Mrs Cheeseman said: "We've got the memorial drawn up and we're just waiting to hear back from the church to confirm the go-ahead."

Lance Corporal Cheeseman's devoted parents took matters into their own hands after they were told he did not qualify for being recorded in the national Roll of Honour.

Mrs Cheeseman said: "Tay isn't allowed on the Roll because he didn't die in action."

"We've had so much support from people who have said how disgusted they are that he's not been honoured at all."

The Cheesemans are particularly grateful to Tracey and Dave Dasra, who have helped raise the money for Tay's memorial with raffles and other fundraising events.

The couple, from Stapleford, have just received a donation of an electric bike worth �500 for one of their raffles.

Taran – known as Tay – joined the Army in 2005 and served a six-month tour of Iraq in 2007. He died of a rare form of leukaemia just a week after he had begun a duty in Afghanistan.

Mrs Cheeseman said: "It will be two years since Tay's death on June 7 and his birthday is on June 19 so we are holding a 70s and 80s night at the Intake Club on Kirkland Avenue on Friday, June 17, to celebrate."

People can make donations at any Yorkshire Bank and the family are selling charity wristbands, keyrings and car stickers to boost the total.

Anyone wanting to help raise money for Taran or needing more information should call Steven and Tracey on 01623 473371.

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503354/s/148c9812/l/0L0Sthisisnottingham0O0Cnews0CFundraising0Eparents0Enear0Etarget0Eson0ETaran0Carticle0E350A890A90Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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