Thanks for Koa tributes
A GRIEF-STRICKEN dad has thanked Old Firm fans for their tributes to his son Koa.
The eight-monthold died of meningitis on Thursday and a request to release balloons in his honour at tomorrow’s Scottish Cup semifinal has prompted a huge response.
THE heartbroken dad of a tragic boy who died of meningitis has been overwhelmed by support from fellow Scots.
Barry Brock’s plea for Rangers and Celtic fans to join forces by releasing balloons as his eight-monthold son Koa ‘ watches over Hampden’ during Sunday’s Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final prompted a huge response.
Fans were quick to raise thousands of pounds i n honour of the tot, who is understood to have died on Thursday.
Rangers supporter Barry said online: “So overwhelmed from the support and I’ll try so hard to acknowledge every message although there can’t be far off a thousand.
“Your support has helped us through this totally overwhelmed everyone.”
Barry added: “I never got the chance to take Koa to a game but I’ll tell him the sky will be coloured just for him.
“The last thing I’ll tell him is that his daddy will always love him. He’s my world and his mummy’s best wee boy.”
Friends have raised thousands for the tot as friends paid tribute with a touching video.
The family have said little Koa will be an organ-donor, helping to save the lives of others.
Barry said online: “I’d like to thank David Turner for setting up Koa’s justgiving page and everyone who has donated to help us, being self employed at times like this isn’t easy and it’s taken away a little unneeded stress.”
The baby was on holiday with his family down south before the deadly illness struck.
Barry revealed that the meningitis had attacked his brain suddenly and there was nothing doctors could have done to save him.
Mum Hayley added that she had approached the doctors about organ donation before they came to her as she has suffered congenital heart problems herself.
She said: “If his organs save someone’s life then my little boy has had a purpose, his life was worth something, and that’s what he was meant to be here for.”