Brave cancer boy Atticus (4) died cuddling his teddy

A CANCER-stricken little boy for whom people in New Milton raised funds to help give his family “a lifetime of memories” has died.

Atticus Feduchin-Pate (4), whose grandmother lives in Lymington, passed away on 7th February clutching a teddy bear that had been by his side all through his treatment against a rare brain tumour.

Former New Milton footballer Mark Hollyoake, who organised a fundraising night in the town for Atticus’ family, told the A&T how his brave family held a celebration of their son’s life on Tuesday this week near their home in Whitchurch.

He said: “It was beautiful. There was a big screen in the church which showed videos and photos of Atticus. There were also pictures of his school classmates drawing pictures of their memories of him.

“Children also sang the hymns and afterwards we went to a hotel where there was a reception which was all train themed including toy trains which the kids there could play with.

“It was lovely to see all his little friends so involved on the day. Atticus was just a lovely, lovely little boy.”

Mark said the celebration on Tuesday was held the day after Atticus was buried following a private family service. He and his wife made friends with Atticus’ parents Blaize and Emily after meeting them at National Childbirth Trust classes.

He had organised a charity night starring football legend Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris in October last year where the proceeds were split 50-50 between Atticus’ parents and the Brain Tumour Charity.

Atticus was diagnosed with a rare and incurable tumour called DIPG (Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas) on 1st July last year. His parents took him to their doctor after noticing the little boy had become “clumsy.”

After being told there was no cure, they started a fundraising page to enable them to treat their son to all the things they had planned to do with him in the future. They received support from people all over the world.

Just a week before Atticus died, there had been a UK wide search after he lost his teddy called Boeuf on an outing from London’s University College Hospital where he was being treated.

He was reunited with the bear after it was found and his mum Emily revealed that he was cuddling it when he died last week.

Atticus had been undergoing radiotherapy in an attempt to prolong his life but after two days he deteriorated rapidly.

Talking about her son’s death his mum Emily (37) said: "Thankfully it was very peaceful, he was really tired and fell asleep and just didn’t wake up.”

The family had been hoping Atticus would be able to make it to his fifth birthday in May. Dad Blaize had told the A&T how he often brought his son to Lymington to visit his mother, Tatiana, who is married to the former president of Lymington Cricket Club, Brian Hobby.

Atticus’s family say they will continue to raise funds for the brain cancer charity in a bid to fund research in to the rare tumour that claimed his life.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/atticus-dpig-amp-brain-tumor-charity.