Jane Sutton, the mother of inspirational teenager Stephen, has been forced to deny claims she has the disease which took her sons life, after a newspaper article was published yesterday.

The headline, initially published in local press and subsequently reported on other digital outlets, has since been taken down after journalists were advised that the story was incorrect. Speaking on Facebook, Jane said:

"Some of you may have read the front page story in [yesterday's] Staffordshire Express and Star, which said 'Stephen’s mother is now battling cancer'. I’d like to reassure everyone that this is factually incorrect."

"I am healthy and looking forward to my fundraising climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, in early October."

The confusion arose after an event at the weekend were Jane was invited to speak at an event at Lichfield Cathedral, by Lichfield Cathedral School. After presenting the prizes, she spoke to the students, parents and staff attending the ceremony, during which a quote written by Stephen in 2011 was wrongly attributed to Mrs Sutton. Jane added:

"My message to the students was simply to make the most of each and every opportunity which arises, as Stephen did following his incurable diagnosis, and something I have taken on board since Stephen passed away in May 2014.

"Clearly, there was one person there who didn't listen attentively to my speech and thought that when I quoted Stephen’s personal statement that I was speaking about myself. That person also had plenty of opportunity to ask me about what they thought they had heard."

"Quite why anyone would think I would use the platform of a school speech day to announce such news is beyond my comprehension. Whilst I can accept people make mistakes, and can misinterpret statements, what is unforgivable in my view is to publish a story without first verifying the facts."

Reporters also contacted Teenage Cancer Trust, the charity which Stephen worked tirelessly to raise over £5 million pounds for, to ask if they knew about Mrs Suttons' diagnosis. 

Jane's son, Stephen, was honoured in 2014 with a posthumous Pride of Britain award, an honorary doctorate and an MBE for services to the Teenage Cancer Trust Charity. He rose to national attention after a four year battle with colorectal cancer, during which he completed bucket list wishes and campaigned to raise funds for the charity who supported him throughout his treatment. With an initial target of £10,000, celebrity support, hard work and determination saw him collect over £3 million by the time he sadly passed away in April 2014 - a total which has since increased by a further £2 million.

His family have continued to spread the message Stephen started since his death, attending a number of public speaking engagements and completing challenges including marathons and treks to raise even more money for the charity who supported them. Jane continued:

"I have been very happy to co-operate with all sections of the media and gone out of my way to conduct interviews for print, radio and television as best I can, hoping they appreciate I work full time.

"I’d like to thank the media team at The Teenage Cancer Trust for their assistance in handling the many media enquiries and thank you to everyone who was concerned about my wellbeing."