Tributes have been paid to a generous spirited, fun-loving teenager, who died from a brain tumour just days after launching his own campaign to raise money for a cancer charity.
The family of 13-year-old Arran Tosh, from Sudbury, had no idea he was gravely ill until a routine eye test just over a week ago revealed something was wrong and he was referred to West Suffolk Hospital for an MRI scan.
He was rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for surgery but died on Saturday.
Arran, who was a student at Hedingham School in north Essex, had recently set up a JustGiving page with a target of raising £1,000 for Cancer Research UK, inspired by his aunty Kerry who had battled and beaten breast cancer.
The popular youngster had only recently been busking outside the Cancer Research charity shop in Sudbury and was also planning to have his head shaved to boost his total so far of £750. Since he passed away, donations on the webpage have rocketed to more than £11,300.
Arran’s aunt, Tracy Milligan, said: “Arran was tirelessly raising money for Cancer Research, inspired by his other auntie and a family friend who suffered the terrible disease.
“Then out of the blue last Monday morning, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“With his family by his side, he calmly and bravely went into battle on Tuesday morning with that huge smile of his and a determined attitude.”
But the tumour was far worse than predicted and following complications, Arran lost his battle on Saturday morning.
His mother, Alison Tosh, said her son would have been astounded at the generosity of donations on his JustGiving page. The family including his sisters Abbie, 18, and Chloe, 20, and dad Stephen, is hoping to set up a permanent trust, The Smile of Arran, to continue his fundraising mission.
Mrs Tosh said: “Although Arran had so much ability and was so talented, he was never arrogant. He had a wonderful sense of humour and all he ever wanted to be was someone who made people happy – and he wanted to make other people’s lives easier.
“He hoped to one day teach music, drama or history, but in the meantime, he just wanted to do as much as he could for charity.
“He said if he could reach the £1,000 for Cancer Research he would then raise money for HCPT – The Pilgrimage Trust – which takes children with special needs on pilgrimage to Lourdes in France.”
Arran was a keen musician who enjoyed singing and playing guitar with his band, The Stopclocks. He was also a footballer and talented actor, who took part in several productions with the Centre Stage Company, based at Haverhill Arts Centre.
Arran’s sister Abbie said: “He is my little angel and I am so proud of everything he has achieved, not only after his passing but when he was with us too.
“He would light up any room as soon as he walked into it and his smile was contagious – this is something that will carry on happening through his spirit.
“Although my little brother is no longer with us, I will forever love him and miss him, and I will always be proud of the young man he was.”
Click here to contribute to Arran’s Cancer Research UK total
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