A BRAVE disabled man has died of pneumonia after years battling illness.

Just days after Andrew Leaver had helped to decorate the Christmas tree at his parents' home he was struck down with a chest virus.

Andrew, 30, who had fought against severe epilepsy after suffering a stroke when he was only six months old, finally lost his struggle for life on Sunday.

But today his heartbroken parents Mick and Lynne say they now want to celebrate their courageous son's life.

Despite suffering from severe learning difficulties Andrew's parents say their son brought love and happiness to everyone he met.

Loved

Now the couple and their daughter Debbie, 27, are trying to come to terms with Andrew's death, only days before Christmas, a time of year which their son loved.

Yesterday Lynne, 50, spoke of the family's sorrow over Andrew's death, coming just weeks after the man "who loved life" had enjoyed a family holiday in Tenerife.

Mrs Leaver said: "Everybody is heartbroken. He touched so many people during his life and was full of love for everyone.

"All our friends who had children who grew up with Andrew say their kids are better people for having met him. He made them appreciate how special life was.

"Just before he was taken ill he kept telling people how he had helped to decorate our Christmas tree and put bells on it. He loved Christmas and he got such a lot from life."

His father, Mick, 54, who is a director of his own company, described his son as a "real battler."

Mr Leaver added: "He got such a lot from life and he was full of kisses and cuddles for everyone. Andrew brought so much joy to everyone."

Just a week before his death the fun-loving man, who had been wheelchair-bound for about eight years, enjoyed a special trip to see Jack and the Beanstalk at the Albert Halls.

His family, including his 70-year-old grandmother Kath, and staff at the Falcon View Day Care Centre, which Andrew attended, are now preparing for his funeral service. Dozens of sympathy cards were on display at the family's home in the Tonge Fold area. And the flag outside the Tonge and Breightmet Conservative Club on Bury Road, which Andrew frequented with his parents, was also flying at half mast as a mark of respect. A funeral service will take place on Monday with a Mass of Angels being offered at St Osmond's Church at 10am followed by internment at Tonge cemetery at 11am.

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