THE heartbroken mum of a six-year-old boy who suffered from a rare brain tumour will mark the first anniversary of his death on Monday.

Julie Watson admits she has been struggling to get out of bed each morning since her "little angel" died from a condition that afflicts less than 40 people in the UK each year.

Young Sam Watson, a pupil at Regina Coeli Primary School, in South Croydon, was just five when he was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.

Doctors gave him between nine and 12 months to live but he survived for just six.

Julie, of Nicola Close, South Croydon, has thrown herself into full-time work to cope with the devastating loss.

She said: "Sam was our little munchkin and not a day goes by that I don't think of him.

"He was a very gentle soul and so loveable, but he could also be cheeky at times.

"When we knew he didn't have long to live we packed in a lifetime of experiences to make Sam's last months with us his best.

"We went travelling, took him to Disneyland and filled every second with fun things for him to do.

"The day before Sam died, he had visited Godstone Farm.

"Our little angel wasn't with us for long, but every day we had with him was a blessing and we will always cherish the memories."

Sam's condition came to light after Julie, 40, noticed his right eye was focusing inwards.

Days later, he started having serious problems with his balance and was admitted to Mayday Hospital where a scan revealed the terrible truth.

Medics confirmed the tumour at the base of Sam's brain was inoperable and he under went radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden Hospital, in Sutton, to try and prolong his life.

But he drew his last breath on August 23 – much sooner than expected.

Julie, who works in a doctor's surgery in South Croydon and runs Regina Coeli's breakfast club, added: "Time doesn't heal the pain.

"It doesn't get easier and I don't think it ever will.

"To lose a child, especially at just six years of age, is completely unexpected.

"I've thrown myself into work because otherwise there would be no reason to get up every day."

Sam also left behind dad John, 44, and brother Joseph, 13, who will be joined by family and friends on his "angelversary".

They will release balloons with personalised messages for Sam attached to them.

The day before the anniversary (Sunday) family friend Bev Charman-Gay will be undertaking an abseil in Sam's memory at the O2 Arena. She is raising money for children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The 46-year-old secretary at Atwood Primary School, in Sanderstead, said: "I really hope Advertiser readers dig deep in Sam's memory, as he was such a lovely boy whose premature death has hit the whole community very hard."

To sponsor Bev log on to uk. virginmoneygiving.com/BevCharman-Gay. Alternatively donations can be made to the CHASE hospice, which supported the Watson family, at www.chasecare.org.uk