A teenager given just months to live is "amazed" at the outpouring of kindness after he donated almost all his savings to help a boy he has never met.
Rhys Langford, from Ebbw Vale, is severely ill with osteosarcoma, a cancer which starts in the bones.
Earlier this month the 19-year-old came across the story of Jacob Jones, a six-year-old boy from the same town. Jacob went through gruelling treatment to rid him of a rare cancer called neuroblastoma - but doctors believe it has returned.
Rhys, who worked as a labourer for a water supplier before falling ill, was moved to tears by Jacob's story — and decided to donate £1,000 in savings for the child's treatment. He also set up an online crowdfunder for Jacob.
At the time we reported on Rhys' incredible generosity, his campaign had raised just over £5,000. In the three days since, that figure has rocketed to £34,775.
His mum Catherine said: "Rhys is absolutely amazed by how much money has been raised for Jacob. All the support messages and emails we have had as a family are mind-blowing. Rhys and the family are filling up with emotion, from people wishing us well to people offering kind gestures to help us make memories with Rhys.
"Business are offering free services from gifts as little as cupcakes to making memory blankets, poems framed, balloon decorations for Rhys' bedroom. It's just all been so overwhelming from a little kind gesture Rhys has made as one of his final wishes. We never expected this kindness back. It really puts a smile on Rhys' face. We are so proud of him — he is our hero."
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.
The 37-year-old added: "Rhys was really happy and quite emotional. Jacob is too young to really understand but like Rhys he’s a young boy very much loved by his family and followers.
"We as a family can’t believe the response we have had from so many wonderful people... We will always hold a special place in our hearts for Rhys and his family."
Catherine, 38, said Rhys' campaign has inspired people in Ebbw Vale to arrange a football match to raise funds. The charity game will take place at 2pm on February 20 at Garnlydan Football Club.
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, said: "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 week 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," said Paul. "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."
On Rhys' fundraising for Jacob, Paul said: "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.
