A Co Derry schoolboy has died six months after he was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.
Tony Fitzpatrick (9) from Magherafelt was remembered as a “beautiful boy” following his death on Friday.
Known as ‘wee Tony’, many described him as an “inspiration”.
A pupil at Holy Family PS in Magherafelt, he was diagnosed with grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme, an extremely rare and difficult to treat children’s cancer, following emergency surgery in March.
A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for alternative treatments gathered more than £297,000.
His family had told The Irish News earlier this month that they were “blown away” by support from well-wishers.
His aunt, Carla Scullion said at the time that any money raised for the young GAA player would go “to fund alternative treatments to give Tony a better quality and prolonged life expectancy”.
A keen GAA and football player, Tony was a member of the O’Donovan Rossa club in Magherafelt and also played for Moyola Park AFC.
Following news of his death on Friday, numerous tributes were posted online.
One said: “The inspiration he gave everyone and the love he received in his short time on this earth was phenomenal.”
Wee Tony RIP who sadly passed away this morning.
Posted by Clonoe Gallery on Friday 27 September 2024
Others wrote of their sadness and devastation for his family, describing his death as “heart-breaking”.
Cross Rangers GAC wrote on Facebook that it was “saddened to learn of the untimely passing of wee Tony Fitzpatrick”.
The club also extended its symathies to Tony’s family, friends and “our fellow Gaels” at O’Donovan Rossa GAC.
