FAMILY and friends of a Newport teenager who died after battling two life-threatening illnesses raised £1,700 to help others suffering from the same conditions.

The Argus previously reported how Andrew Lee, 19, of High Cross Lane, died on May 6 from pneumonia after battling Crohn’s disease and non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Following his funeral on May 23, donations were collected in honour of Mr Lee with £1,700 being raised.

The money will now be shared between children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent and the Crohn’s in Childhood Research Association.

Mr Lee’s parents Martyn and Debra thanked everyone who had given donations and attended Andrew’s funeral.

They said: “The money received was far more than expected which has shown us how much Andrew was thought of by friends and family.”

Around 400 people packed out St Basil’s Church, Bassaleg, for the funeral of the teenager who was known for his fighting spirit and positive outlook on life.

This included members of Whitehead Bowling Club, where Mr Lee was a keen player, who held a guard of honour.

The brave youngster, who was also selected to play for the Wales u16 team two years ago, had been fighting Crohn’s disease since the age of eight and was diagnosed with non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2009.

But after undergoing numerous operations and treatment, the pneumonia infection was too much for the brave youngster.

He died at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales.