The family of a brave youngster from the Shropshire/Welsh border who battled a rare disability for years have planted an oak tree in his memory.

Daniel McHugh, from Penybont, near Oswestry, died aged just 10 at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on New Year’s Eve last year.

He suffered from a condition called Pseudo Trisomey 13 – a chromosome abnormality affecting his physical and mental ability. 

Daniel’s bravery and battle against the condition baffled doctors who initially gave him no hope of survival when he was born.

He attended his local school at Llangedwyn for many years before moving to Ysgol Cedewain School at Newtown in Mid Wales which caters for disabled children. His mother Lesley said they had chosen to plant the tree at Llangedwyn School because her son spent many happy years there and his 10-year-old brother Aaron attends the school.

She said: “Daniel had close links to Llangedwyn School and we felt it was appropriate to have a lasting memorial to him within the school grounds. He moved to Cedewain after Llangedwyn were unable to cater for his needs but he was always in contact with pupils and staff at Llangedwyn particularly because Aaron goes there and it was his local school.

“He was a remarkable little boy and this tree will be a memorial to him.”

For more information about Daniel visit www.danielstrustfund.co.uk