A brave Bury youngster best known to the community as Super Josh has died following a long battle with terminal illness.
Josh Wilson, 14, was left partially blind and disabled following intrusive surgery to remove a life threatening brain tumour, when he was just three years old.
The teenager’s devastated mum, Dawn Fidler, took to twitter to announce the heartbreaking news earlier today which was followed by an outpouring of tributes on social media.
The brave teen had raised more than £120,000 before he died.
My superhero is sleeping now, no more pain big man, thank you for teaching us to smile xxx #hero @JourneyJoshuas #SuperJosh
— #SuperJosh Mum (@DawnFidler) November 4, 2014
One user, David Darlington, wrote: “So sorry to hear your news. You have been an inspirational parent. RIP Josh. Never forgotten. X”
Fiona Newton wrote: I met josh once and I can honestly say it only takes once for him to leave a mark on your heart! Such an inspirational and brave young man!! He will live on forever through his work, achievements and the people’s lives he has touched and made so much brighter”
Nadia Akhtar wrote: “You will be truly missed. You touched the hearts of so many may you RIP. Keep smiling in the heavens. X”
Despite doctors telling him he wouldn’t see 2014, the youngster defied all the odds and has spent the last 10 months raising funds for the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour to help other children with brain tumours and post-surgery disabilities.
The charity operates mainly through social media, boasting more than 40,000 Twitter followers and is committed to helping families with terminally ill children by providing help, support and financial solutions.
Josh was rushed to hospital ten years ago when doctors found a life threatening brain tumour which needed surgery.
After the operation the youngster was left in a coma for six weeks, and due to the location of the brain stem, when he came round he was partially blind and disabled, battling epilepsy, scoliosis and joint problems.
In 2013, the teen’s tumour was classed as ‘frozen at present’, but sadly his spine was so severely deformed it was affecting his lungs and he was unable to have certain medicine or surgery.
Despite his disabilities, Josh’s mind was still fully functioning and he remained a ‘typical cheeky 14-year-old’, who loved Manchester United and Salford Red Devils, and the teenager continued to dedicate his time to drumming up cash for his charity.
Just last week the teen held a spooktacular Halloween party at Walshaw Sports Club and managed to raise £600 through ticket sales, raffles and auctions.
Last week, Josh’s mum Dawn described how they were treasuring every day as he had become so poorly.
She told MM last week: “He’s on permanent oxygen now, we literally have no idea how he’s still here. He left hospital care in June and we have a care team that help us at home so we’re literally just taking each day as it comes.
“Last Christmas we were told he was going so we all went to the hospice but now it’s almost Christmas again and he’s still here. It’s amazing, he’s just surprised everyone so many times so we just crack on and have fun and appreciate every single day.
“He really is Super Josh! He’s an absolute star, and he takes his charity and fundraising very seriously.
“We’ve worked for ten years to raise money for Josh and the response from the public has just been amazing. So many people have read his story and I think because he’s a face to the charity and people know his story they want to help.”
To make a donation to the Super Josh charity, click here. http://www.joshwilson.org.uk/
Image courtesy of Facebook, with thanks.
