ONE year on from her untimely death, the legacy of a brave Wellington Heath teenager lives on, and six young people, all battling serious conditions, each have a window on the world as a result.

Caitlin Ronan, a student of the John Masefield High School, died suddenly on November 17 last year, following a severe chest infection.

Caitlin was bed-bound, but the Malvern-made Eyegaze system allowed her to communicate with the outside world, via the telephone and internet connections, and before her death she launched a highly successful fund-raising drive to help others in a similar condition.

Her mum, Louise Ronan said: "Caitlin suffered from a progressive neurological disease called CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) and had spent the last four and a half years of her life in bed with no movement from the neck downwards. Caitlin’s absolute determination to get the most out of her dreadfully short and sometimes very difficult life can be evidenced by the many charitable causes she was involved in and that we as a family continue in her name."

Mrs Ronan added: " We reported in 2015 that she had started a fundraising campaign completely by herself to raise money for an Eyegaze System, costing approximately £8000, and that she was also very keen to raise enough money for someone else to benefit from an Eyegaze system as well.

"Before her death she raised over £34,000 including many contributions from people who live in the local area.

"Before Caitlin’s death we had bought an Eyegaze for Caitlin plus we gave away a further two Eyegaze systems: to Finlay, aged 11 in Aberdeen and Myzat, aged five, in London. Since then it has been my aim to ensure Caitlin’s own Eyegaze System found a new home and that the remaining fundraising was used to benefit other young people in a similar situation to Caitlin."

She added: "I am delighted to say that, with the wonderful help of Neil Fitzgerald from Smartbox in Malvern, Caitlin’s system was donated to a young lady and that a further three Eyegaze Systems have been donated to Millie, aged 13, a young girl who lives in Hereford; Courtney, aged 19, a teenager who lives in Ledbury, and Matthew, aged 13, a young lad who lives in Telford.

"We visited Finlay and his family in May this year and it was wonderful to meet them and see what a difference the Eyegaze had made to him."

Meanwhile, Caitlin's remarkable achievements have been recognised by the John Masefield High School, where she was a popular sixth former.

The Caitlin Ronan Award for Courage and Endeavour will be presented to a student each year at the annual presentation evening.

At Pool Piece in Wellington Heath, a Japanese cherry tree has been planted in Caitlin's honour by her close friends.