A 16-year-old boy from Leigh, Greater Manchester, has died just hours after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia, after his initial symptoms were dismissed as 'growing pains' by a GP. Harley Andrews, a keen footballer and rugby player, passed away on November 9, the day after he was admitted to Royal Bolton Hospital with blood in his urine.
According to a close family friend, Harley had visited his GP weeks earlier feeling unwell, but was told it was likely a virus or growing pains. No further symptoms appeared until last weekend, when he noticed blood in his urine. His father and stepmother rushed him to hospital, where tests revealed stage four leukaemia that had caused internal bleeding in his brain and other organs.
Family friend Kaylee Jackson, who was also Harley's former teaching assistant, described him as an 'all-round good kid' who loved his five brothers and four sisters. She launched a fundraiser to help with funeral costs and other expenses, which has raised over £8,000. The fundraiser states: 'Harley was a bright, kind, and loving young soul who touched the hearts of everyone who knew him.'
Harley played for Astley and Tyldesley FC, where he was described as a 'pivotal part' of a league and cup double triumph in 2024. The club shared tributes on Instagram, calling him 'well liked by all involved in the game' and noting that he 'never complained'. A second fundraiser has raised nearly £2,500.
Harley's mother, Gemma, expressed gratitude on behalf of the family, saying: 'We really do appreciate and seeing how loved Harley was brings comfort to us.' The family remains in shock, with Kaylee noting that Gemma 'hadn't even processed he had leukaemia before she was told he had passed away.'
