The mother of tragic drama student Jenson Marriott spoke today of her hopes that the new Millennium will see struggling young black actors being trained in his memory.

Sharon Marriott launched the Jenson Marriott Memorial Scholar-ship Fund for Actors after her 21-year-old son died of cancer in January, 1998.

More than £20,000 has been generated and the ultimate goal is to use interest from the fund to help talented black actors from poor backgrounds pay for higher education studies.

Mrs Marriott, 38, of Shipley, said: "I would like to start making the money useful to students this year.

"Jenson was very worried about grants disappearing and particularly concerned about young black actors being put off going into the profession because of worries about future employment, getting on their feet and having to pay off loans.

"The fund is only one small drop in the ocean but it's something that will encourage young black actors.

"The inspiration for the fund comes from Jenson's thoughts and ideas rather than mine and he would be really happy that something like this existed.''

Meanwhile, Mrs Marriott said it was particularly hard to cope over the festive season, adding: "In fact, it starts being difficult at the end of October, which is when Jenson got ill, and after that every day is a memory of how things were and that goes on right through to January 21 when he died. It was a horrible, painful and stressful time for him.''

Mrs Marriott, who teaches at Bradford College, added that she would be marking the second anniversary of Jenson's death with a quiet visit to his grave at Nab Wood Cemetery.

Jenson, a former Nab Wood Grammar School pupil, was in the second year of a drama degree at Middlesex University. He had been acting since he was eight and landed a leading role in the BBC Screen Two drama Criminal when he was 17.

Since his death a host of fundraising events have been held in his memory.

l To contribute to the fund, which will be boosted by a table top sale at Shipley Library in January, call Mrs Marriott on Bradford (01274) 596736 or e-mail her on sharonm@ legend.co.uk

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