AS people celebrate the Queen’s 60-year reign this weekend, one community’s thoughts will be closer to home.

Residents in Fairfield Avenue, Felixstowe, are dedicating their Diamond Jubilee street party to the memory of a youngster who would have loved to have been part of the fun but sadly lost his battle with cancer aged just 12.

Jack Wilkinson was a happy boy whose big smile and gentle nature touched many lives, and loved raising money for charity.

He was diagnosed with a rare form of bladder cancer at the age of two.

After six months of arduous treatment for the toddler, including several blood and platelet transfusions, the disease went into remission.

But eight years later, his cancer returned more aggressively than ever. Despite months of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and major surgery, Jack lost his battle to cancer in 2006 when he was 12.

Now the residents of the road where he lived are pulling together to hold a Jubilee street party in Jack’s memory.

His mum Caz, who is organising the event on holiday Monday, June 4 with neighbour Judy Barber, said many people in the street had volunteered to use their talents for different activities for the occasion.

“Jack enjoyed the Golden Jubilee so much ten years ago – we held a street party then and he thought it was wonderful,” said Mrs Wilkinson.

“We could not have imagined then what would have happened in the intervening years.

“But it was Jack’s enjoyment that made me think we should definitely do it again this time. I just remember he kept on saying how brilliant it had been and asking when we would do it again.

“It’s going to be a bitter-sweet day because Jack won’t be there, but we want to do it in his memory.”

The party will have a theme of red, white and blue, with music, games for the children, a cake stall, and lots to eat and soft drinks, and a firework display.

Games for the youngsters are being provided by Fairfield Infants – Jack was a pupil at Fairfield, Colneis Junior and Deben High.