A memorial fund set up in memory of tragic Shipley drama student Jenson Marriott has reached £15,000 in just six months.

The Jenson Marriott Memorial Scholarship Fund for Actors was launched in April to help struggling black actors following 21-year-old Jenson's death from cancer.

And the latest boost for the charity is a donation from the Leeds-based chart-toppers Chumbawamba. The band contacted Jenson's mother Sharon after hearing about the charity she has set up to help black actors fulfil their dreams.

Mrs Marriott has received a £500 donation from the group, best known for the chart-hit Tubthumping and for pouring water over Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at the Brit Awards.

Mrs Marriott said: "Some of the band members had seen a collection box in the Victoria Quarter in Leeds - where Jenson used to work - and rung me up to offer a donation.

"They just said they thought it was a very good idea and wanted to help the charity.

"They've obviously got a strong social conscience but it's not just words and they've been prepared to put their hands in their pockets which is great."

Jude Abbott, who plays trumpet with the eight-strong group, said: "A couple of the others knew Jenson or knew of him and we'd picked up some information about the fund. We thought something that would encourage young black actors, and give a chance to other people as well as honouring someone's memory, was a good thing to give money to."

It is hoped to generate at least £100,000 for the fund with grants then paid out from the interest to help budding black actors from poor backgrounds pay for their higher education studies.

Mrs Marriott, who hopes to be able to help the first student within two years of her son's death, said: "We've hit our £15,000 target for the first year already which is a great start and all these donations are partly about Jenson being appreciated as a human being.''

l Money can be paid into an account in the fund's name at the Midland Bank's Shipley branch or by calling Mrs Marriott on (01274) 596736 or via E-mail on sharonm@legend.co.uk

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