A MEMORIAL fund has been launched following the funeral of 18-year-old Thomas Channon of Rhoose who tragically died while on a trip to Magaluf, Spain.

More than 450 people attended St Curig’s Church. In Rhoose on Thursday, July 26.

The teenager died after falling around 70ft over a knee-high wall at the Eden Roc complex in Magaluf on Thursday, July 19.

He was the third holidaymaker from the UK to die at the complex this year.

Family, friends and the local community in Rhoose and St Athan attended the funeral conducted by Reverend Melanie Prince.

Those attending gathered at Fontygary Leisure Park for a celebration of the teenager's life.

Following the funeral, a fundraising initiative has been launched by the Channon family in memory of Mr Channon to ensure his memory lives on through a memorial in Rhoose and to support his family with legal fees to help prevent a tragedy like this from being repeated.

Vale MP Alun Cairns, who has been supporting the family throughout, said: “The loss of Tom to his family, his friends and the community in and around Rhoose has shocked us all.

“The community has showed its support through such a well-attended funeral and the celebration of Tom’s life at Fontygary is a testament to how the Channon family want Tom to be remembered.

“Like the family, I am keen to ensure that memories of Tom live on and fully support the fundraising efforts for a fitting memorial to Tom - a young gentleman.”

Well-wishers can visit the fundraising page at gofundme.com/TomChannonMemorial