A CHARITY in memory of a Hampshire boy will be launched this week with its patron, TV comedian Catherine Tate.

The Joe Glover Trust, named after the Colden Common boy who died last year aged eight, will help children with cancer and their families.

Catherine Tate, whose comedy character Lauren is famous for catchprases like "Am I bovvered?", will be present at the launch at the De Vere Hotel in Southampton on Thursday.

Paul Glover, Joe's father, said: "We are delighted that Catherine has accepted our invitation to become our patron. Her patronage is even more meaningful as she met Joe on the Dr Who Christmas Special set in Cardiff in July 2006. She was captured by him.

"The commitment that she has promised the Joe Glover Trust goes way beyond our expectations. It speaks volumes for her."

The Joe Glover Trust is committed to providing ongoing practical, emotional and financial assistance to children and their families.

It will work with the Piam Brown Ward at Southampton General Hospital which treats children from across the south.

Co-founders Paul and Maxine Glover, Joe's mother, have set up the charity in tribute to their eldest son, who died from a rare form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) just before his ninth birthday.

Mr Glover explained how he hopes the charity will help families: "Almost every trustee has first hand experience of the devastating impact that childhood cancer can have on children and their families.

"On diagnosis, everyone and everything is thrown into a complete turmoil that puts unimaginable pressure on day-to-day living, relationships, jobs and social lives. And this turmoil continues whether children have won or lost their heroic battle."

He added that the new charity would concentrate on practical help for families.

"There are so many costs. We want to try to help. It's obvious that people want to continue their involvement with us since Joe's death."

Today, one in every 500 children under 15 years of age develops a cancer and latest figures indicate that approximately 1,500 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed each year. Although medical research has made huge strides in diagnosis and treatment, nearly one child a day dies of a cancer related disease in the UK.