A 14-year-old boy "who always had a smile on his face" has died at the age of 14.
Tom, originally from Bromborough, Wirral, but living in Ellesmere Port, died from a brain tumour on Saturday, August 21. Tom was just 13 years old when he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GMB) - a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour with an average survival time of just 12-18 months.
Despite everything he was going through mum Karen said Tom "never complained once" and "fought right up until the end". Paying tribute to Tom, Karen, who asked only to be referred to by her first name, told the ECHO how loved he was.
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She said: "He always had a smile on his face, always positive, never complained once."
A Facebook page called "Our Fight For Tom" was set up to support the teenager during his cancer battle, with over £16,000 being raised through a Gofundme page.
In a message on the page this week, Jeni Roberts paid thanks on behalf of the family to everyone who made donations, helped at fundraising events for Tom and shared his story. Jeni said: "It has really meant a lot to us and we couldn’t have done what we have done without you all."
Tom first started feeling sick on and off in September 2020, with mum Karen initially thinking it was due to him going back to school after the first national lockdown. Karen took Tom for an eye test after he started suffering from double vision and he was sent straight from the opticians to the Countess of Chester Hospital.
Tom underwent further eye tests and scans at Alder Hey Children's Hospital followed by an operation - at which point Karen was told the surgeon wouldn't be able to remove all of the tumour. A week after Tom's operation, the family were told the devastating news he had a cancerous tumour called grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme.
He began radiotherapy and chemotherapy in December 2020 but. after 12 months, Tom and his family were told the treatment was no longer working and there's nothing more doctors could do for him.
Tributes flooded in to Tom from friends and family members on the Our Fight For Tom Facebook page. One woman said: "So sad. RIP Tom.....such a brave lad. My heart goes out to all Tom's family. What amazing, loving, altogether family you all are. I'm truly heartbroken for you all . Xxxx"
Another said: "Rest in peace young man, you are an inspiration to everybody that knew you. Deepest sympathies to family and friends." .x
Another added: "Tom was such a lovely, kind and caring young man!! Sending love to you all! Xx"
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