THE father of a Chiswick teen who died last new year has spoken of the positive way his family are dealing with the tragedy.

Sam Griffiths, 16, was killed after falling on train tracks while out celebrating New Year's Eve with friends, and now his family are putting their pain behind them by starting a foundation in his memory.

His father, Ian Griffiths, of Abinger Road, Chiswick, said: "You can't really describe how it feels to have lost Sam - Christmas has been the worst with it being the anniversary.

"But we are trying to take positives from the tragedy and work hard to do things for society; things that Sam would have done but will now never get the chance."

Following his death at Burgess Hill Station, in West Sussex, the family has formed the Sam Griffiths Foundation which aims to 'help the young help the young' by introducing children to projects run by partner charities.

Projects will help build confidence and skills amongst disadvantaged youngsters both home and abroad, using sports, arts and education.

Sam, a keen rugby and tennis player, would have approved of the project, said Mr Griffiths. "He really cared about others and hated any sort of prejudice or bullying."

A fundraising raffle was formed at the beginning of November, with the top prize of a week's holiday on Richard Branson's Necker Island.

Mr Branson, a man who Sam looked up to, personally donated the prize after being contacted by Mr Griffiths.

The family hope to raise up to £50,000 for the foundation by selling the £50 tickets.

Mr Griffiths added: "His

death has given us a different perspective on life. You become more tolerant of life's little difficulties and are able to see the bigger picture.

"We are hoping with the first year without Sam behind us, we can find a new different sort of normality, a normalcy that can help us move forward.

"We have done a lot of taking and this year it is time to start giving back." * Visit www.samgriffith foundation.co.uk to learn more and enter the raffle.