A family has been left facing ‘unimaginable pain’ after their teenage son died within just hours of being diagnosed with leukaemia.
Harley Andrews, 16, had visited his GP only weeks ago to complain of feeling under the weather – but he and his mother, Gemma, were reassured it was likely a viral infection or simply ‘growing pains’, a close family friend claimed.
The keen footballer and rugby player, from Leigh in Greater Manchester, showed no other symptoms until last weekend, when he noticed blood in his urine.
His concerned father and stepmother took him to Royal Bolton Hospital where doctors handed them the devastating news – Harley was suffering from an aggressive form of the blood cancer.
But they did not expect he would tragically pass away from his illness just hours later.
Medical tests showed Harley had stage four leukaemia, which had caused internal bleeding within his brain and several organs.
Despite having only been admitted on Saturday, by the early hours of Sunday morning the youngster had succumbed to his illness.
Close family friend and neighbour Kaylee Jackson, who grew up with Harley’s devastated mother Gemma, has launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and to ease their financial burden.
Harley Andrews, 16, from Leigh, Wigan, died within hours of being diagnosed with leukaemia
Harley had only weeks previously visited his GP to complain of feeling under the weather – but he and his mother, Gemma, were reassured it was likely a virus or simply ‘growing pains’
Harley was described as a ‘loving young soul’ who doted on his brothers and sisters
The fund has so far raised £6,600 in memory of the ‘bright, kind, and loving young soul who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him’.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, mother-of-five Kaylee – who was also Harley’s teaching assistant during his time at Newton Westpark Primary School – revealed how the teenager was an ‘all-round good kid’ who doted on his five brothers and four sisters.
She said: ‘He was in my first class when I was a teaching assistant, so I’ve also taught him. He was a young, lovely, polite boy. He was all about family, always with his brothers and sisters and friends.
‘Harley used to love playing football in the street with the kids and giving them piggybacks.
‘He started feeling unwell on Saturday, so he went with his dad, Kevin and step-mum, to hospital to get checked out.
‘Gemma thought he probably needed some antibiotics – she certainly wasn’t expecting the news they got.
‘She had only taken him to the doctor a few weeks ago and said they put it down to growing pains or a viral infection. Obviously, you don’t think that at 16 they could be seriously unwell. I don’t think he showed any real signs and symptoms to either of his parents.
‘Gemma is still in shock at the news. I don’t think it has hit her yet.
Harley pictured with his father, Kevin Edwards, who was handed the devastating news by doctors on Saturday night
The keen footballer and rugby player, pictured right, was said to be ‘all about family, always with his brothers and sisters’
Harley was the second eldest son of Gemma, who has six other children, and her former partner Kevin
Harley was described as ‘just one of those kids that everyone got along with’. Pictured: Harley with his older brother
Harley, a former pupil of Westleigh School, was remembered as ‘an all-round good kid’
The youngster enjoyed football and rugby and played for several local teams
‘She hadn’t even processed he had leukaemia before she was told he had passed away.’
Harley was the second eldest son of Gemma, who has six other children, and her former partner, Kevin Edwards.
A former pupil of Westleigh School, Harley had only recently enrolled at Wigan and Leigh College to further his studies.
He was also a keen sportsman, playing for Leigh Town and Astley & Tyldesley FC, as well as Leigh East Rugby Club.
Kaylee added: ‘Harley was just one of those kids that everyone got along with. He was sporty, he was funny. He was just a generally nice guy.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard a bad word said about Harley. It’s a real shame because he was just starting off in life.
‘We are a close community around here. I think everyone in our little area woke up on Monday morning with a heavy heart’.
More than 650 children and young adults are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK every year.
People can donate to the GoFundMe here.
