A "happy and smiling" young boy who loved Toy Story, Liverpool FC, and Cheeky Monkey crisps has died following a tough brain cancer battle.
When Zack Molyneux was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in May 2021, his parents, Sophie and Adam Topham, were warned he had just six months to live. But the brave youngster beat the odds, living his life to the fullest for another one-and-a-half years before dying at his Eastham home on Thursday, May 11, aged six.
Sophie said: "Zack was incredible, always happy, always smiling. Everyone says how he would brighten up the room with his eyes and smile.
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"He was Toy Story-crazy, and obsessed with Liverpool Football Club."
Zack was diagnosed with inoperable brain tumours after Sophie noticed strange symptoms - he was "constantly blinking", struggled with balance, and appeared to be dragging one side of his body "like he had a stroke".
She said: "On that day, the day we were told he had brain cancer and there was nothing they could do, everything changed. We were sent home that day, but I didn't want to give up. Eventually they agreed to giving him oral chemotherapy, which isn't as strong as normal chemotherapy, but it did help.
"Zack was always amazing, happy and smiling. He changed so much. His weight would change, his hair would fall out, but he was always cheerful. He went through months of not being able to eat, and had to be fitted with feeding tubes - and when he could eat, all he ever wanted was Pom Bear crisps! And Cheeky Monkey crisps - he was obssessed with them."
Zack made the most of his last two years of life, meeting his heroes at Liverpool FC and Bromborough Community Fire Station, where he became an honorary member, and performing with Jamie Webster at Taggy's bar.
Sophie said: "He loved to sing and dance. His favourite song was Allez Allez Allez by Jamie Webster, and he even got to meet Jamie Webster in October 2021.
"He got to meet Liverpool FC at the training ground this year, and he was so happy. He was a bit poorly when he was there, but when we got back it was all he talked about.
"He was given six months in May 2021, and the doctors said they didn't think he would last that long. He proved everyone wrong all the way. He was amazing."
The six-year-old - who managed to attend his first day at Elleray Park School in Wallasey in December last year despite his growing illness - died peacefully at home surrounded by his parents, brothers and sister.
"We felt very strongly that he wouldn't die in hospital," Sophie said. "He wanted to be in his home, and that's where he went.
"We knew it was going to happen, but we didn't know it was going to happen so soon. We always knew his time was coming, but we never expected it to be now. He just went to sleep and never woke up.
"His bedroom had just finished being decorated the day before. He had his wardrobe engraved with his name and Toy Story, and it took his dad five hours to hand-paint it all. It was like he was waiting for it to be finished, because we all said once he passed away, we'd never touch it again, we'd never touch his room.
"For me, I don't think it will hit me until after his funeral. We're hoping for it to be big and beautiful, and we want as many people there as possible. He was a really special boy and he touched so many people's hearts, and we want his funeral to reflect that."
She said she wanted fellow Liverpool FC fans to take part in a round of applause for Zack at the Liverpool V Aston Villa match at Anfield on May 20.
She said: "We'd love for people on the next home game to do a round of applause for him to celebrate his life. He was a massive fan. If he was here he would be watching that game - and shouting at the TV along with his dad."
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