Brave Josh loses tumour battle
An 11-year-old Shropshire boy has died following a courageous fight against a brain tumour. Josh Coates, of Ditton Priors, near Bridgnorth, was described by his devastated family today as a sensitive and loving boy who inspired everyone he met.
The village school will close on Thursday as a mark of respect for his funeral, which will take place at St John the Baptist Church, Ditton Priors, at 12.30pm.
Josh's mother, Mandy Painter, said: "We are devastated. He was so positive, his spirit was unbelievable. When we brought him home after his first operation he said he was living with cancer not dying from it.
"People have been so inspired by him, one person told me it made them feel humble."
Josh, pictured, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May last year and had extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But the tumour returned in April and he died on Wednesday.
Mrs Painter said she wanted to thank the staff at Birmingham Children's Hospital and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for their care during his illness.
Donations are being invited for the Starlight Organisation, which organises special treats for ill youngsters, and gave Josh the chance to have lunch with movie star Orlando Bloom.
Mrs Painter said Mr Bloom, one of the stars of the Lord of the Rings movies, was so touched by meeting Josh he personally rang the family home recently to ask how he was getting on.
She added: "Friends who raised money for charity said it was the least they could do, when he was going through everything he was going through and yet he was still bright and just being Josh. Nothing put him off.
"We are asking people to donate to the Starlight Organisation because if Josh can give another child what we have had it would be wonderful.
"Just seeing his face light up was wonderful. I thought the memories were brilliant then, but now they are even more important."
Josh leaves his mother, stepfather Mike, and sister Holly, 17.
By Simon Alton
