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Former Swansea City captain Ashley Williams has stepped forward to pay the remainder of a fund to buy a headstone for a young Swansea cancer victim.

Efforts have been ongoing since early January to raise funds to buy a headstone for the resting place of courageous 16-year-old Dylan Gunner, who died on July 28, 2015 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and bravely battling cancer for three years.

The fund had reached £2,800 of its £4,000 target when Sarah Morgan, who is behind the fundraising campaign, received anonymous messages.

After a number of exchanges back and forth, £1,200 was donated to the cause, and it later became known that the now Everton defender was the one behind the generous donation on the understanding that all the events planned in the youngster’s name went ahead.

The 33-year-old, who is captain of the Welsh national side, spent time with the youngster when he became aware of his story before he passed away, and was even a bearer at his funeral.

Mrs Morgan explained: “It was incredible. What a gentleman, and the way he did it was brilliant. He did not come in like the big I am, he was not looking for glory, and he told us if we did not go ahead with the events we still have planned in his name he would not do it.”

The campaign began when Mrs Morgan was visiting the graves of her mum Barbara and four brothers Brian, Nigel, Richard and Peter, and she came across Dylan’s grave.

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Mrs Morgan, whose daughter Bethan was in the same class as Dylan at Whitestone Primary School, saw the cross on his resting place was cracking and decided she wanted to do something to help, so contacted his mum Jo Gunner-James to ask if she could raise money to purchase a headstone.

Mrs Gunner-James gave her permission and Ms Morgan has been fundraising ever since.

The latest event will take place today at the Linden Tree in West Cross from 3pm until 5pm, where there will be special appearances from Belle, Spider-Man and the Easter Bunny along with a bouncy castle, face painting, nails, hair and glitter tattoos, along with a series of games.

The inspiring youngster, who lived in West Cross, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August 2012.

He was awarded the Little Star award from the Cancer Research charity for his courage and bravery throughout his treatment.

Rugby-loving Dylan had played for Mumbles RFC since the age of six and was a keen follower of the team, even when he became too ill to take to the field himself.

His headstone is now being selected and is expected to be in place within the next three to four months.

Mrs Morgan added: “The fundraising is not going to stop. I’ll shut down this one specifically for the headstone but I’m going to be going on to the committee of Dylan’s charity (Dylan’s Wish) to help raise money for that and children with cancer.

“The fundraising has done a lot for me personally, I’ve grown a lot myself and it makes you realise you can do stuff to help other people. It’s been a wonderful journey.”