A NEW crowd-funding page has been set up to replace stolen cash raised for a terminally ill boy.

Friends and well-wishers had donated more than £2,000 to nine-year-old Oliver Kyrillou who lost his fight against an aggressive form of cancer in February 2016.

The Go Fund Me account had been set up by Sharlene McNeilly who was jailed earlier this month for using the money to fund her gambling habit.

The funds were originally earmarked to help Oliver fulfill his dreams during his last few weeks.

McNeilly, of Monkswell Green in Christchurch, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court on April 13 after admitting one count of theft. Now Lyndsey Cheney - an employee at Longspee Academy where Oliver went to school - has set up a new page to replace the stolen funds. It is hoped the money raised this time could be used for a memorial for Oliver.

“I was just sickened by what she did,” she said. “Oliver and I were very close and losing him was just awful and then to find out someone had done that who was supposed to be a friend - it’s just terrible.

“I am hoping that I can raise some money for them to show them that kind, honest and caring people do exist.”

Christchurch-based Alexander Kyrillou, Oliver’s dad, said Ms Cheney wasn’t even aware of what had happened until she read about McNeilly’s antics on The Daily Echo website.

“It distressed her quite a bit,” he said. “It is a bit of an understatement but the whole thing just drives me absolutely mad.”

Mr Kyrillou hopes any money raised could be used to create a Tardis-style beach hut on Avon beach, reflecting his love of Doctor Who and the beach.

He said: “I would like to try and sort out a memorial: I’m thinking somewhere on the beach because he loved it.”

Mr Kyrillou was forced to sell his business to look after his son putting extra financial pressure on the family - which prompted the initial Go Fund Me page to be set up. They were forced to use their credit cards to pay for his headstone after they found out the money had gone.

“If there was anything left it could be used to clear the debt involved with his funeral but the memorial would be the focus,” he said.

So far £240 has been donated to the new page. To donate to the cause visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lyndsey-cheney.