A COURAGEOUS teenager's dying wish not to be forgotten has been realised - 5,000 miles away.

Joanne Gillespie of Stockton inspired the nation in her fight against brain cancer by writing a book Brave Heart, aimed at inspiring other ill youngsters not to stop fighting terminal illness.

It sold thousands of copies and was in the best sellers list. Terry Wogan was reduced to tears when the youngster appeared on his TV chat show.

Joanne, of Chelmsford Avenue, was diagnosed as having a brain tumour at the age of eight and was initially given just six months to live.

She survived two operations and gruelling treatment, but died in September 1993, aged 15.

Parents Peter and Kath Gillespie set up a memorial fund and raised £100,000 for life-saving laser equipment at the hospital which had treated their daughter.

Now 15 years later, the fund has been wound up and the £25,000 residue has been spent on helping to equip a hospital specialising in neurology in Kathmandu, Nepal, where a ward has been named after Joanne.

The hospital has carried out 1,000 life saving operations in the year it has been open, helped by an earlier donation of £20,000 from the fund.

Mr Gillespie said: "Joanne had said keep people fighting and don't let them forget me'. That's what started us off.

"This type of surgery just did not happen in Nepal, because they did not have this up-to-date equipment.We are absolutely positive it was the right way to close the fund down.

" I think this would have pleased Joanne. She would be proud we have closed the fund down in this way.