Parents' tribute to battling son Isaac as family and friends raise almost £15,000

Today his parents spoke of their devastation – but also their pride and their determination to remain positive and use his memory for the good of others.

Isaac's funeral took place on Thursday at Shrewsbury Abbey, two weeks after he died from a condition that affects just two in one million children.

He was only 15 months old when he was diagnosed with germ cell cancer and underwent gruelling treatment and surgery.

It was just before Christmas 2012 that Isaac's parents, Gareth and Sonya, who are originally from Shrewsbury but who have recently moved to Telford, realised something was wrong with their son.

"He was having tummy problems," said Gareth, who works for an electronics company.

"We took him to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where they scanned him and found a huge tumour in his pelvis.

"He was sent to Birmingham Children's Hospital where he had more scans and they found the cancer had spread to his liver and his spine."

Isaac, who had three brothers and sisters aged between 11 and four, was subjected to several rounds of chemotherapy.

"He was desperately poorly," said Sonya. "But the tumours shrank. He then had surgery which we were told had removed every bit of the cancer. We were so hopeful. But just days later he was ill again."

Unknown to the couple – or even the doctors – the cancer had spread to Isaac's brain.

"It is a very rare cancer," said Gareth. "And it had never been seen in the brain before. The doctors have said that, because of Isaac, they will now check for secondary cancers in the brain of other sufferers."

Isaac underwent more chemotherapy for three tumours in his brain and the eight that had re-grown on his spine.

At the end of August the family had a consultation with specialists who told them the treatment had gone brilliantly and Isaac was moved to Hope House Hospice.

"But less than a week later, he was dead," said Gareth. "We can't believe he is gone.

"He was such a character, so full of laughter and life and he put up with so much pain. He always laughed. He was determined and I am so proud of him."

The couple are from Shrewsbury but recently moved to Lawley in Telford with their three other children, Jasmine, aged 11, Lola, five and Jacob, four.

They remain determined to keep a smile on their faces both for the sake of their children and to honour Isaac's memory.

"People ask how we cope," said Sonya. "We don't have an answer for that. I feel empty and alone. Our other children are back at school now during the day but Isaac should be here, with me. We feel detached. Things are going on around us. But we are so proud of him. He was our little boy. He was so beautiful."

Since Isaac was taken ill, friends and family have organised events to raise money for Cancer Research UK. So far they have raised almost £15,000 – and the figure keeps rising.

Members of Harlescott Social Club, in Shrewsbury, held an auction and raffle and raised almost £4,000.

Today, Isaac's mum Sonya, along with family and friends, were climbing Snowdon on September 21, cycling the 14-mile route around Lake Vyrnwy and then canoeing down the Severn from Montford Bridge to Shrewsbury – all in one day.

And two former Shrewsbury Town players are also doing their bit. Sam Aiston, a flying winger for Town in the club's Gay Meadow days, is taking part in the Tough Mudder Challenge on October 5, with Gareth; and Andrew Tretton, captain when they staged the Great Escape at Exeter in 2000, will be competing in the Bupa Great Birmingham Run half marathon on Sunday, October 20, a half marathon.

To donate to Isaac's charity, visit www.justgiving.com/isaacjones11