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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Wesley Holmes

Teen's final wish to come true four months after tragic death

The dying wish of a "brave and determined" boy is about to come true thanks to an outpouring of generous donations from the Merseyside public.

George Galbraith, from Halewood, died of rhabdomyosarcoma - a rare form of cancer affecting the soft tissue - on August 16, four months before he had the chance to fulfil his dream of handing out Christmas presents to other young patients at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

His mum Paula Surridge set up a fund-raiser in his memory in the hope of raising £3,000 to make her son's final wish come true.

READ MORE: Teen with 'heart of gold' dies weeks after being crowned Prom King

The page has now exceeding its goal, bringing in £3,300 and counting - with further donations of cash and toys coming from a donation station set up at Morrisons supermarket in Speke.

The money will be used to buy teddies and toys for children at Alder Hey, who may have to spend Christmas Day in a hospital bed.

George's aunt Jodie Parker, 31, said: "Our George’s gofundme page is doing extremely well, and we are still receiving toys and gift donations. We have Morrisons supermarket in Speke that are funding our George too by setting up a fundraiser box which people are also donating toys and gifts, which is amazing.

"We're extremely overwhelmed by all the support we have had so far, with so many people getting involved. Myself and Paula are super grateful for everything that we have received by making our George’s wish come true. We're truly wanting to raise as many smiles on so many children this Christmas. In honour of our George, we are wanting to make this as big and successful as we possibly can."

George, a 16-year-old Halewood Academy pupil, was described by his mum as "very gentle, very forgiving, with a big heart," and by his aunt as "one of a kind".

Paula said: "George was so brave and determined, he even attended his college open day and school leavers' assembly in between IVs whilst really sick on long hospital stays. He thought of others right to the end, as a few days before he passed we asked him what wish he wanted from Make A Wish and he wanted a locket for me. He never asked for anything all his life, even when sick.

"We couldn't be prouder of him. Words can't describe how amazing he is and how truly loved he is by us all and everyone that ever got to meet him."

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