Portsmouth schoolboy Ace Rewcastle has died after shocking illness on holiday, family announce

The eight-year-old had been enjoying a holiday with his mother in Barbados when he was taken unwell on Tuesday, January 3 – with doctors discovering that he was suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia.

Less than a week later, little Ace suffered a major bleed on his brain on Sunday January 8.

Having lost consciousness and suffering irrecoverable brain damage, the family were requesting for his life support to be turned off and preparing for a battle with local authorities to gain permission.

The shocking circumstances attracted huge support across the city, with compassionate residents raising more than £100,000 to pay for medical bills and specialist flights if needed.

Now Ace’s mum Amber has announced that the brave schoolboy has died.

Writing on social media about her only child, the 30-year-old said: ‘There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint in this world.

‘Goodnight Acey Pops, today nature took its course, you are my whole existence and I will love and remember you until my last breath. Give nanny Pat a big cuddle from me and let’s get you home my darling baby’.

More than a dozen friends and family members had rushed to Barbados in order to say their goodbyes last week, after doctors in the Caribbean island and in Southampton agreed that the best course of action was to remove Ace’s life support.

But the family were left in limbo after the Barbadian authorities said that the young boy’s condition did not meet the legal threshold for terminating life support.

The fight was due to go before the nation’s court system on Wednesday, with city councillors and even the Foreign Office looking into the case, according to reports.

Now Ace’s death has caused grief across the city from those who were looking to support the stricken family.

Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt said: ‘My thoughts are with his whole family. My team are in touch and will continue to provide them with whatever help they need, especially to bring Ace home .I want to thank all of those who have helped the family in recent days.’

Speaking to The News about the tragic circumstances, a family friend said that Amber wished to extend ‘a big thank you’ to everyone in Portsmouth who had supported the family over the last three weeks.

Family friend Terri said: ‘Never in a million years did she think she would go on holiday and return without her son.’

Terri has coordinated a GoFundMe campaign that has raised £115,253 to cover the family’s huge medical bills – coming in at more than £60,000 – as well as eventual funeral arrangements.

Terri said: ‘I can’t even keep up with all the fundraising.

‘Hopefully with the money we can give him the best send-off we can.’

Residents have donated a variety of special items - from boxing gloves worn by Anthony Joshua to an England top signed by Michael Owen.

Ace’s uncle Joey Field is working with Portsmouth FC to have a special tribute paid to the Pompey fan at an upcoming match at Fratton Park.

He said: ‘I took him to his first game when he was three years old. For the family to see 20,000 fans at Fratton Park standing up and singing Ace’s name - it will mean he will live on.

He added: ‘The support has been unbelievable. I have never seen anything like this. This is next level.

‘Amber has got all the support she needs. She’s in the best hands.’