THE brother of a kind-hearted 18-year-old who died last year is taking part in a challenge in aid of a cause close to his heart.

Niall Dearnaley, who attended St Mary’s Catholic High School in Astley, died last May after an inquest found that he died from natural causes.

Since his passing, children’s bereavement charity Once Upon a Smile has provided support to Niall’s family including his 13-year-old brother Oran.

To mark 12 months since Niall died, Oran has organised a 24-hour treadmill run at the Manchester Road school which starts on Thursday at 12.30pm, with pupils and staff taking part.

Oran will be starting the event and finishing it on Friday which will raise funds for Once Upon a Smile.

He said: “I wanted to give something back for the charity in Niall’s memory and this run seems like the perfect opportunity as he would have loved this.

“To do this in his name is fantastic and something I will never forget.”

Niall was a promising footballer and played in more than 320 games for Leigh Genesis having joined the club as a nine-year-old in 2008.

After his death Leigh Genesis released a statement hailing him a "legend" whose "loyalty to the club was unwavering".

The club set up the Niall Fund and have held fundraising events and raffles in his memory.

To donate to Oran’s crowdfunding page visit bit.ly/2HYrapJ.