Dozens of colourful balloons soared over Saundersfoot beach last Thursday to celebrate the life of a teenager who had fought a long battle against bone cancer. Daniel Bridle, aged 18, of Valley Road, Saundersfoot, was diagnosed with the disease in January 2013. He died at home on Tuesday, June 18, with parents, Richard and Caroline, brother Lewis, aged 17, and sister Nicole, aged 13, at his side. They decided that the balloon launch after Daniel's funeral would be a 'touching tribute' and arranged it with the help of Heidi Dilworth, of Upsy Daizy, Narberth. Family and friends wrote personal messages on each balloon. "We spent many happy family moments on this beach, and it was nice to be there smiling once more," said Daniel's mum, Caroline. "It brought a colourful end to a sad day." A cartoon face of Dan on one of the balloons looked down on the gathering, sharing one last laugh. Daniel, a former pupil at Ysgol Greenhill, Tenby, had just started a plumbing apprenticeship at Pembrokeshire College when he was diagnosed. Since then, he had undergone chemotherapy and spent a lot of time in the Teenage Cancer Trust unit in Cardiff. "It's been a hell of a journey," said dad Richard. "But we were determined to share as much time as we could with Daniel. "The lovely turnout at Dan's funeral reflected how good the community has been. We couldn't have given him a better day." Donations in Daniel's memory are being made to Bone Cancer Research.