Unbelievable agony of loss
TRAGIC Frankie Sherwood’s heartbroken mum has paid an emotional tribute to the fouryear-old who yesterday lost his battle with cancer.
The NUFC fan died surrounded by his loved ones in the family caravan – his favourite spot.
The little NUFC fan’s brave battle has captured the hearts of the North East as he fought the deadly childhood cancer neuroblastoma when he was just 18 months old.
In a post on Facebook yesterday, mum Hayley wrote: “At 3am this morning Frankie passed away peacefully holding his daddy’s hand.
“He was in his favourite place the caravan where he wanted to be.
“You were the best thing that happened to me and your daddy, you will always be in our hearts, and we have got lots of lovely memories that will stay with us forever, we love you so much Frankie, lots of love mammy and daddy.”
The youngster, from Dudley, North Tyneside, won hearts across the North East with his courage, and yesterday tributes poured in.
A spokesperson for Frankie’s beloved Newcastle United said: “We are deeply saddened to have learned of the passing of young supporter Frankie Sherwood this morning.
“Frankie had battled neuroblastoma with immense bravery since 2015 and his courage inspired others.
“Our thoughts are with Frankie’s family at this very sad time.”
Meanwhile, North Shields FC said: “Everyone at the club is heartbroken at the passing of such a brave little boy.
“Our sincerest condolences go out to his family on this very sombre day.”
The news provoked heartbreak on Twitter, where hundreds of people shared their sadness and support for Frankie’s family.
Among them was Kate Macpherson, who tweeted: “Frankie Sherwood – the strongest, bravest little boy who faced everything with the most gorgeous smile on his face.
“The little boy who captured my heart and who will always be my hero.”
Becca Gibson wrote: “So sad to hear the news of little Frankie’s passing, he will always stay in our hearts and thoughts. RIP little man.”
Fellow football fan and 13-year-old cancer survivor Cory Davison tweeted a picture of Frankie, and said: “Sorry to hear that brave Toon soldier Frankie Sherwood sadly passed away this morning.”
Despite facing operations and chemotherapy from the age of just 18 months, Frankie made some incredible memories, which his family will treasure forever.
In November 2016 he boldly led Newcastle out in front of thousands of fans for a game against Blackburn Rovers.
And he continued to attend at St James’ Park, meeting Rafa Benitez and scoring half-time penalties on the pitch – and winning the hearts of fellow fans along the way.
This Christmas, he was pictured beaming from ear to ear as he met Santa himself on a magical holiday to Lapland.
Throughout his life, Hayley and dad John refused to stop fighting for their “brave, beautiful boy”.
The family’s world was ripped apart on May 25, 2015, when Hayley, now 33, noticed a slight swelling in her son’s stomach.
As it got worse, she visited the GP, who referred him to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
There, scans revealed an aggressive tumour growing in the little lad’s stomach.
Medics fought to remove any traces of the cancer, but it kept returning, first in Frankie’s neck, in a lymph node, and then in a lump found in his head.
Speaking in 2016, after learning the disease was back, Hayley said: “Before all this happened, he was such a happy little lad. He loved to go to soft play and enjoy himself, he was always kicking a little football around the room or dancing about.”
Hayley and John were determined to do all they could for their little boy, trying treatment in the Royal Marsden hospital in Chelsea, London, and raising thousands of pounds for pioneering therapy in America.
But it couldn’t stop the spread of the disease, and they were forced to make the heartbreaking decision to stop fundraising as the cancer spread and it became too late to take Frankie to the US.
In the last few posts on a Facebook page which shared Frankie’s journey with wellwishers, they revealed he was struggling with intense pain.
We have got lots of lovely memories that will stay with us forever, we love you so much Frankie Mum Hayley