THE parents of a Southampton teenager who was stabbed to death have revealed their wish to help other youngsters who have had a difficult start in life.

Patsy and Paul Loader lost their 17-year-old son Daniel after he was brutally stabbed twice in the back in April 2005.

Daniel's killer, Damien Kershaw, who was 16 at the time, was convicted of manslaughter and jailed.

In an effort to return to family life after the loss of Daniel and the anguish of the subsequent trial, the couple, with the support of Daniel's twin brother Michael, have become trained foster carers.

Both have undergone courses enabling them to help look after youngsters, some of whom have challenging behaviour.

Mrs Loader, 45, said: "We are trying to do what we can for kids who, like Daniel, may have got into a bit of trouble. Others may have given them a label and given up on them but we will offer them a home.

"It can be challenging but it is so rewarding.

"We know it's what Daniel would have wanted. He said his family was the most important thing."

So far the family has helped a teenage boy and girl and are preparing to take on respite visits as well.

The family were left devastated after the death of Daniel who was stabbed after he stepped in to break up a fight on the Aldermoor estate.

They were advised to apply for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, as both have been too grief stricken to return to work, but the authority ruled they were not entitled to any compensation as Daniel had a previous criminal conviction that had been taken into account under the rules of the scheme.

The news shocked the family, who said they were being penalised for a mistake Daniel made, and that he'd never had a chance to prove he had learned his lesson after spending three months in a young offenders' institute.

The couple are now appealing to the board after winning the backing of their MP, Alan Whitehead.