It is nearly a year since Alex Hood lost her long and brave battle aged 19 against epidermolysis bullosa - a condition which makes sufferers' skin as fragile as a butterfly wing.

To mark the first anniversary of Alex's death, her parents Robin and Virginia have decided to release 100 native butterflies in the Pump Room Gardens on July 17 and hope to raise money for the DEBRA charity, which helps people with EB.

Mr Hood said: "Virginia and I wanted to commemorate the first year since Alex died and to continue with my promise to her to fundraise for DEBRA.

"We miss her dreadfully because she was such a character. Even with all the pain she had such a wonderful attitude to life, but we are grateful that she doesn't have the pain any more."

Alex was diagnosed with the skin condition at birth and had to be wrapped in bandages every day.

She found everything from swallowing to dressing painful, but it was skin cancer, triggered by damaged skin, which finally claimed her life.

On her 19th birthday last February she was diagnosed with cancer for the third time.

She had already had operations to remove tumours, but the cancer had spread to her spine and she was given months to live.

But despite all of Alex's pain and difficulties she still managed to pass 11 GCSEs, was learning to drive and been accepted to study art at Leicester University.

Mr Hood added: "We still talk about our daughter and are proud of her because she achieved such a lot."

Mr Hood has already helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for DEBRA and Warwickshire College in Leamington, which Alex attended, has made it their charity of the year.

DEBRA butterfly badges are now on sale at the college in Warwick New Road, Blacks in the Parade and Druckers cafe in the Royal Priors shopping centre in Leamington.

The butterfly release will take place at noon on July 17 when the badges will also be for sale.

A bag-packing day in aid of DEBRA will take place at Asda in Leamington on August 15 and Mr Hood is hoping to recruit volunteers to help him. Anyone interested should call him on 07885 155011.

Any shops interested in selling the badges should call DEBRA on 01344 771961.