Tributes to 'fit and strong' 20-year-old from Egerton

Former Turton School student Cameron ‘Cam’ Duxbury suffered from ulcerative colitis.

He was only diagnosed with the illness six weeks before his death, undergoing surgery in an attempt to prolong his life.

His family, from Egerton, are devastated but want to raise as much awareness of the disease as possible in Cam’s memory.

Nigel Duxbury, his father, said: “We just keep thinking back to February time when he was going to the gym and playing football all the time. He was a really fit and strong lad.

“It just all happened so fast, he was still working from home and he wasn’t himself.

“We took him to A&E on September 20 and had to have an operation on October 5. He stayed so strong mentally until the end even though he was just on his own the whole time, it was so tough not being able to go and see him.

“It’s been a very upsetting time for us as a family but we are so proud of the tributes and messages we have been getting about him. We would never have known the amount of people he affected and how loved he was.

“He did great at school and was doing so well in his job but he was still just our kid. It was so heartbreaking for us as we thought the operation would work and he would be coming home.

“He was still telling everyone he’d be back. Even on his last day he was texting his mates. We were told it would be a long road to recovery for him but we are on the longest road now.”

Cam, who had a much-loved sister, Caitlin, had been working in finance with Embark Egerton.

Bromley Cross FC, where Cam played football, also paid tribute to him. A minute’s silence was staged before their game last weekend in the family’s presence.

Dave Norris, club vice-chairman and under-21s boss, said: “He was a Bromley Cross FC u21s Warrior, through and through.

“It was a shock to all his team mates and myself to receive the devastating news.

"Cameron was a young, respectful gentleman and a huge credit to himself, his parents, family, friends, team mates, the club and this community.

"As hard as it was for everyone, it was agreed Saturday's fixture would go ahead in tribute and memory to Cameron.

"Cameron you will be greatly missed by everyone and will always be with us and cheering us on."

A Justgiving page set up to raise money for the Crohn’s & Colitis UK charity has reached over £12,000 so far. To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/cameronduxbury