Family of couple who jumped off Beachy Head have spoken of their grief

Three months after the tragedy, the boy is set to become the face of a new charity campaign.

A fund to commemorate five-year-old Sam Puttick is being launched to raise money for research into spinal cord injuries.

Sam, who was left a quadriplegic after a serious car crash in 2005, lost his battle with meningitis at the end of May.

His parents, Neil and Kazumi, were so devastated that they drove from their Wiltshire home with his corpse to Beachy Head two days later to end their own lives.

Coastguard found two rucksacks with the bodies - one containing Sam’s body, the other filled with his toys.

An inquest into the couple’s death will take place in Uckfield, on Friday.

This weekend, Neil’s parents broke their silence to speak about their grandson’s legacy.

Alan and Mary Puttick said: “Words cannot describe our loss. We miss the three of them every minute of every day.

“If money raised in memory of Sam was to be used to help other children and their parents in similar situations then it would be a fitting memorial to an extraordinarily brave, special and inspirational family.”

Sam’s fund, which has already received donations worth about £10,000 following the tragedy, will be administered by a charity called Spinal Research.

Before their deaths the family supported the charity and Sam featured in a publicity campaign, due to be launched later this year.

The fund will raise money which will be donated to projects that could have helped Sam overcome his disability, including neuron reconnection or diversion, in the hope of a breakthrough for other children.

Jonathan Miall, chief executive of Spinal Research, said: “The family are in agreement with our plan for Sam to be used in future campaigns.

“Once things are formalised, the money will be given to specific projects but we are still in discussions with his family to finalise things. We are just pleased that something good can come out of such a dreadful series of events.”