A MOTHER today spoke about her son's life helping others.

Almost a year after Marc Lindsay's death aged 21 his mother, Julie, spoke to the Examiner for the first time.

She revealed details of a special memorial planned for the family home in Spain next month and about plans to continue work that Marc did to help young people.

She said: "We decided to hold the service at our house there, which is where we were staying when we first heard the news about Marc.

"I think going back there helps us come to terms with his death. There's no easy way of getting through something like this.

"The grieving process is not just for past memories. It is for everything you would have had with your child had they lived."

Following an emotive funeral service Marc - who set up his own company, ML Developments, at the age of 18 - was buried near his old school, Farnley Tyas C of E First School.

Marc had designed the school logo, which was etched on to his gravestone.

After his death from a drug overdose at a friend's house many tributes poured in.

Julie said: "One of Marc's main ambitions in life was to make a lot of money, as he wanted to set up something that would help young people.

"He was a very kind person and did a lot for charity.

"He sponsored a young girl's education in India and did a lot for the World Wildlife Fund. "

Marc's sister, Vicki, has taken over his business and his mum says the family will continue to support Marc's charities.

The family recently gave £1,000 to the Brian Jackson Centre's Project Cool scheme.

Marc worked with The National Children's Centre, a charity based at Brian Jackson House in Huddersfield, during 2005, helping young adults on the Project Cool scheme.

The scheme, now known as the Brian Jackson College of Open Learning, aims to meet the needs of young people who are struggling with their education.

It also encourages opportunity for future employment and quality of life.

Marc helped by offering work placements and training. He also went to sessions to advise young people on gaining work.

Vicki said: "I know Marc thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of his work and found it very rewarding."

To acknowledge this, Marc's family decided to create a 2006 calendar in memory of him. All of the cash it raised through sales was given to the project.

The family came up with the idea for a calendar after finding a journal Marc had written. In it he made many observations that his family felt should be published.

His thoughts included: "Life is no brief candle to me. It's a splendid torch that I have got hold of for the moment."

Vicki said: "We hope that this money may make a difference, just as Marc had endeavoured to do throughout his short, but very fulfilled, life."

To mark the day he died - July 12 - his family plan to release balloons at the Valle Del Sol in Spain.

The service will be held near the family home built last year, which has been named Casa Marco after Marc.

The balloons, in Marc's favourite colour, red, will have personal messages from his loved ones.