A mother has spoken about caring for her seven-year-old boy who died from cancer and how charity work continues to motivate her.

Kristel Huth, 47, who lives in Hornchurch, lost her son Mitchell on August 25, 2012 after he was diagnosed with a neuroblastoma, a type of nerve cancer.

Kristel said it was her son’s spirit and energy that kept her going, even as he was battling terminal illness.

She has dedicated her life to the cause and founded Mitchell's Miracles in Romford in 2013, a charity supporting families affected by neuroblastoma child cancer.

Ahead of National Neuroblastoma Week, Kristel is running an event this Saturday (June 17) in honour of Mitchell at Campion School in Hornchurch.

Kristel, who lives with her husband and son, 24, spoke about the impact of Mitchell's diagnosis on herself and her family.

“I was in quite a bad place,” she said. “We all felt like we were in a big bubble, it was all very scary and we felt helpless because we couldn’t take away what our boy was going through.

“But I felt Mitch kept us strong – he was just being a child as he didn’t understand the meaning of cancer,” Kristel said.

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Mitchell, who had Asperger's, loved dressing up as superheroes such as Woody from Toy Story and Simba from the Lion King.

“He was very cheeky but everyone loved him,” she said. “He went through his battle with a smile on his face.

“He was nicknamed ‘The Lion’ on his ward at Great Ormond Street Hospital because of his spirit in cheering the other kids up."

Kristel recently suffered from a spinal injury, she said, but her charity work and remembering Mitchell's spirit continues to motivate her.

“Every time I'm having a bad day I just remember – he got quite cross seeing me cry. 

"Mitch never liked us sad, that’s what keeps me going,” she said.

The family fun day, during which children are encouraged to dress up as their favourite superheroes in honour of Mitchell, starts at 10am and finishes at 5pm.

It will include entertainment such as live music, bouncy castles and unicorn rides.