A teenager has died weeks after donating almost all his savings to a boy he had never met.
Rhys Langford, from Ebbw Vale, died on Tuesday evening at home in Ebbw Vale. The 19-year-old had been ill with osteosarcoma, a cancer which starts in the bones.
In his final weeks Rhys led an incredible fundraising effort after coming across the story of Jacob Jones, a six-year-old boy from the same town who is battling a rare cancer. Rhys, who worked as a labourer before his illness, donated £1,000 for the child's treatment and set up a crowdfunder which has raised £60,700 for Jacob.
In a social media tribute Rhys' mum Catherine wrote: "My warrior, my hero, my son, my baby, has given up his fight. He lay down his sword and died peacefully at home with all his family around him.
"He closed his eyes for the last time at around 7pm yesterday evening 08/02/2022. We are heartbroken. My life will never be the same again. A part of me has died also. He battled a long hard fight."
In a statement to WalesOnline, Jacob's family said: "We are deeply sad and upset. The love, compassion, strength and courage Rhys shared was unbelievable. He will never be forgotten and because of his kindness Jacob will have a better chance of battling whatever he is faced with.
"We will never be able show how much Rhys and his family mean to us. We are overwhelmed by the fundraising by Rhys and we are heartbroken and our thoughts are with his family."
Ebbw Vale-born artist Nathan Wyburn, who recently created a photo-collage portrait of Rhys, paid tribute to "Ebbw Vale’s superhero".
Nathan wrote on Facebook: "Rhys’ legacy will forever live on in the memories of those whose lives he touched, of which there were so many. His selfless fundraising will help little Jacob continue his fight. £60,000 in his last weeks. Just incredible. It was an honour to meet you last week mate."
Speaking to WalesOnline last month, Catherine said Rhys was "absolutely amazed" at how many people had donated to the fundraiser.
"It's just all been so overwhelming from a little kind gesture Rhys has made as one of his final wishes," she said. "We never expected this kindness back. It really puts a smile on Rhys' face."
Jacob's father Alwyn said his son spoke to Rhys on the phone after finding out about the campaign. The call seemed to "lift Rhys' spirits, knowing he's helping", said Alwyn.
Rhys, a talented martial artist and athlete before his illness, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2020. Experts at Birmingham's Royal Orthopaedic Hospital found an 18cm tumour in his right hip.
He had a series of blood transfusions and went through intensive chemotherapy, quickly dropping from 12st to 8st 4lbs. After 10 weeks of chemo Rhys stayed in the Royal Orthopaedic for three weeks for an operation to remove all the bone from his kneecap to his right hip.
This would mean Rhys always needing two sticks to walk, but the family hoped it would save his life. Rhys then had another 20 weeks of chemo.
When Rhys finished his treatment last August, he had a party to celebrate being cancer-free. He started to feel he was getting his life back, said his dad Paul.
But in October, Rhys' right leg started to swell. Paul recalls it grew to three times its normal size. Rhys spent almost a month in hospitals being treated for sepsis in the run-up to Christmas. Tragically experts found a cancerous mass in Rhys' thigh and told the family that Rhys could not be saved.
Paul, 45, told WalesOnline last month: "At first Rhys was angry, looking for someone to blame. He was saying, 'They told me they'd saved me, they lied to me.' He was bedbound, punching his wardrobe. He went through a dark stage, thinking there was nobody waiting on the other side for him."
The Langford family had never been religious but they found the only source of comfort for Rhys was visits from Reverend Roy Watson, chaplain at the Hospice of the Valleys. Last month Rev Watson baptised Rhys, his nine-year-old brother Charlie and Catherine at their home.
"He didn't see any point in counselling but he seems to find faith when the reverend comes to the house," Paul said last month. "The reverend will read passages from the Bible at his bedside and he'll be engrossed. He'll read a lot of passages about healing and the afterlife.
"Rhys has always been a very caring and selfless boy, always thinking of others. After the absolute hell he's been through, to do this for a little boy — I'm so proud of him."
You can donate here to Rhys' fundraiser for Jacob.
