THE family of brave teenager Zak Vali will remember him on the day of his sixteenth birthday by launching his new charity foundation.

Zak died in September after a year-long cancer battle, surrounded by his family.

The smiling, sports-mad teenager will be remembered fondly by all of those who knew him but his legacy will go even further with the launch of the Zak Vali Foundation next week.

Zak’s father, boxing promoter Asif, mother Karen and brothers Adam, Lucas and Mackenzie have now decided they want to use his memory to help other families who have gone through similar tragedies.

The foundation will look to cover the funeral costs of families who lose their children and cannot afford to give them a fitting send off.

Asif said there was no more appropriate date to launch the charity than on Friday April 15 — Zak’s 16th birthday.

He said: “We thought that date would be the best time to do it and we are inviting all of Zak’s friends and his football team and making it feel like a 16th birthday party.

“It will be a night of mixed emotions for all of us, of course we will shed a tear but we will also have a smile on our faces — just like he did.”

Asif said an already difficult period of time was made even harder when his father died in December.

He added: “It has been extremely difficult for us but the community of Bolton has been incredibly supportive to us — the way that people from all different cultures and backgrounds have come together to help us is something that Zak would have been proud of.”

The launch party will take place in the Lion of Vienna Suite of the Macron Stadium from 7pm until 1am next Friday — with Whites legends John McGinlay and David Lee amongst those attending.

Super John, who met Zak, will be one of several people to give memorial speeches on the night.

There will also be a memorial book which guests can use to pay tribute to Zak.

The event will kick-off the foundation, which is currently bidding for charitable status.

Mr Vali said: “Zak’s passing has brought our family closer together and taught us to truly respect what we have.

“It has also made us want to help others and that is what we are trying to do with the foundation.”

Tickets for the launch event are priced at £50 per person (including children) or £500 for a table of 10, with 50 per cent of ticket prices going to the foundation.

Guests are asked to dress smartly and a four-course halal menu will be served, with live entertainment throughout the evening.

For tickets call Stacey from Monday to Friday on 01204 416990 or at evening and weekends on 07812 581512.