A six-year-old boy has given up chocolate to raise cash for a new memorial stone for his aunt.

Melissa Callender, a former Harwich School pupil, was just 18 years old when she was found hanged a year ago.

Vandals wrecked a memorial stone dedicated to Melissa, whom teachers described as a "lively, bubbly character," which was in the front garden of her mother's home in Fernlea Road, Harwich. The stone was chipped as it was being carried away and was later dumped.

Melissa's nephew Callum Boyne, of Foster Road, Parkeston, decided to give up his favourite treat - chocolate - to raise money towards replacing the memorial stone.

Callum Boyne gave up chocolate to raise cash for a new memorial stone for his aunt

Callum, a pupil at Harwich Primary, has now gone without any chocolate for a whole month, and that included his Easter eggs.

He is one of a number of people in the community who pledged support for a new memorial stone.

Speaking about the six-year-old's support, Melissa's mother, Chris Callender, said: "He gave up chocolate and didn't even touch it through Easter, he didn't eat any of his Easter eggs and has still got six left.

"Once everyone knew about what had happened to the memorial they wanted to help and we came up with the idea of giving something up. Everyone has been wonderful and I want to thank them all"

Other fundraisers sacrificed their favourite things between April 7, which would have been Melissa's 19th birthday, and the first anniversary of her death on May 6.

In total the Lent-style fasting, as well as a bungee jump, waxing and special night put on by The Billy pub, in West Street, Harwich, has raised £1,000 for a memorial.

Published Friday, May 16, 2003

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