STORY THAT CAPTURED DUCHESS’S HEART We’re so honoured by Kate’s sunflower tribute to our shining star

ophageal varices, which causes veins near the stomach to enlarge and can lead to life-threatening ruptures. His liver disease was diagnosed as serious but he was too frail for a transplant.

Blood tests in October 2018 finally showed he had Coats plus syndrome, thought to have fewer than 20 confirmed cases ever.

At astonishing odds, both Carla and Stuart were found to be carriers. Carla said: “It was awful – yet part of me was relieved to finally have answers.”

His health declined faster than expected and by September his stomach became swollen and Fraser was in constant pain.

She said: “He could no longer attend his special needs school – when he was awake he screamed all the time.

“Stuie was amazing, like another carer for him though it was a lot for him to take in. The consultant advised us to be honest about what was happening to later help him grieve. He may carry the condition, but can choose later if he wants tests.”

By November Fraser’s spleen was more than 8.5in – double the normal size for his age – and his stomach shut down. Carla said: “The end had arrived sooner than we hoped.”

He was admitted to Each and died peacefully after seven weeks on January 17. Carla said: “The hospice staff let us bathe him that night and painted his nails gold, which he had loved. We wore the star-covered outfits we wore for our vows to his funeral.”

Grieving in lockdown is a “lonely struggle”, she said. But she added: “Stuie’s fundraising feat was a welcome distraction.

By the end of May people were outside cheering him on.”

The Duchess of

Cambridge told Stuie:

“I hear you’ve been doing lots of fundraising, which has been amazing”. He has vowed to keep running and said: “I was honoured to speak to them. I was nervous but excited – they were easy to talk to and really nice. I just wanted to help other families in the situation we were in.”

Among the people Kate met at the Nook were the Pope-saunders family whose son Sonny was diagnosed with a brain tumour shortly after his sixth birthday in February. Sonny gave a white wristband to the duchess, who was visibly moved as she talked to his mum Kelly.

Kate said: “I’m always so blown away by families like yours.”

Each acting chief executive Tracy Rennie suggested scented and bright plants for the patio garden and the duchess delivered “brilliantly”.

Tracy said: “Those that met her here today will remember it for the rest of their lives.”

Like the UK’S 220 hospices serving 225,000 people, Each in Milton saw a dramatic drop in fundraising due to Covid-19.

Tracy said it had taken a “considerable hit” since lockdown. She said: “It’s always particularly poignant when members of a bereaved family do something for us and what Stuie’s achieved has been nothing short of incredible.”

To donate, visit: justgiving.com/ fundraising/ourstarfraser