FRIENDS have paid a lasting tribute to a brave cancer patient.

Football-mad Adam Fewtrell, 20, of Coton Hill, Shrewsbury, died in March after an 18-month battle with a rare bone cancer.

Colleagues at Morris Lubricants in Shrewsbury fundraised tirelessly since his death and have now unveiled a bench in his memory at Coton Hill riverside.

The former Wakeman School pupil is survived by mother Karen, 44, father Graham, 46, and sisters Amy, 21, and Sophie, 17.

Dad Graham told Living: “His plaque says he was a special young man and that’s exactly what he was.

“Adam never whinged or moaned – he just got on with it. I walk past the bench every day and make sure it’s looking nice.

“Last week all the guys from work ate fish and chips on the bench and just chatted about Adam.”

Adam was diagnosed in October 2009 with Ewing’s sarcoma, a bone tumour which occurs in childhood and usually arises in the arms, pelvis or chest.

Doctors suspected a pain in Adam’s side was pneumonia before tests revealed the extent of his illness.

He underwent chemotherapy at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham but his condition deteriorated.

Graham said: “Doctors told him there was nothing more they could do for him.

“It was at that point Adam said he just wanted to be at home with his family and friends.”

Adam got to fulfil some lifelong dreams before his death.

He met Top Gear presenters James May and Richard Hammond at a filming of the BBC show plus comedian John Bishop.

Adam was also a VIP guest at the Manchester United Player of the Year awards where he met idols Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney.

The bench was installed in line with restoration work on the Victorian promenade which has also seen two old benches replaced with more attractive period-type benches and the provision of two new rubbish bins.

The 175 metres of railings along the length of the promenade have also been repainted and minor repairs carried out to the railings by the gates leading to the boat jetty.

The remainder of the work cost £4,600 and was funded by a grant from the Severn Loop Local Joint Committee (LJC).

Quarry and Coton Hill councillor Andrew Bannerman said: “This much-needed work has greatly improved the appearance of this busy route.

“Now it is complete the riverside promenade will become a source of enjoyment to those passing by on their way into and out of town, as well as a source of pride for local residents.”

Cllr Anne Chebsey, chair of the Severn Loop LJC, added: “Recent residential developments have greatly increased the amount of people walking along the promenade and I’m sure they will appreciate the work that has been carried out.”

Information boards featuring the history of the area will be added to the promenade at a later date.