A GROUP of scouts have spent the past 18 months doing a string of good deeds for a Paralympic hopeful who lost a leg to cancer.

Kieran Maxwell, from Heighington, near Darlington, was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in 2010, resulting in his left leg being amputated at the knee.

Members of Heighington Scouts have spent the past 18 months taking part in a range of fundraising activities for the Kieran Maxwell Fund, set up by his parents to help pay for new prosthetic limbs for the youngsters.

Kieran received two new prosthetics last year – one to help him pursue his promising career in gymnastics, the other for everyday use.

One of the limbs was paid for by EuroMillions lotto winners Chris and Colin Weir, from Scotland.

However, fundraising continues as Kieran will need new prosthetics as he grows.

Fundraising by the scouts – who raise £3,300 – included an Abba tribute night, a supermarket bag pack and a table-top sale.

A cheque was handed over during the performance of the group’s traditional gang show last week.

Kieran’s mother, Nicola, has thanked the scouts for their fundraising efforts.

She said Kieran, a Hummersknott Academy student, has improved with his gymnastics in recent months and can now run competitively.