Swansea: Morgan Ridler dies from cancer aged three
- Published
Morgan was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer in 2021 when he was two
The parents of a three-year-old boy who has died of a rare cancer have said he "taught us to be more and love more".
Morgan Ridler, from Swansea, died in palliative care after he was diagnosed in 2021 at the age of two.
His mum Natalie and dad Matt were told Morgan's tumours had grown and to prepare for end-of-life care.
He died early on Wednesday, and in a post on social media, his parents said their "beautiful boy started on his next great adventure".
"He was peaceful and comfortable with his family around him," they said.
Morgan was taken on Tuesday to Tŷ Hafan, a children's hospice in the Vale of Glamorgan, and he died at about 05:30 BST on Wednesday.
Morgan had undergone treatment and eight rounds of chemotherapy.
"Although it was faster than we could ever have anticipated, Morgan was in control at the very end, knowing he was safe and we were with him," said his parents.
Morgan's parents set up a charity, raising thousands of pounds for families of children diagnosed with cancer
"No more pain now, you fought so hard for so long, you always smiled regardless, you always laughed, you always loved."
"Although I wish this never happened to us I know that we are better people for having known and loved you. You've taught us to be more and love more," they said.
"In us you have inspired more love than I ever thought possible, you've created power for good and we are so grateful for you," the tribute added.
Tributes were also paid on social media by South Wales Police, Welsh Rugby Union, Swansea City, and rugby teams Bridgend Ravens and Ospreys, who posted a photo of Morgan being carried on the pitch by Wales international Rhys Webb.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Tony Curtis, founder of the charity Dreams and Wishes, said Morgan was treated to a day to remember after his nurse got in touch.
"His nurse called and said he loved supercars and asked was there any way you can get supercars to drive down his street?" said Mr Curtis.
"We put a post on a social media and in less than a week we had around 60 supercars turn up.
"Morgan had never been in a plane before so we arranged for him to fly in a plane at Swansea Airport.
A Mercedes Formula 1 car was parked up outside Morgan's house just a few days before his death
"He also went into a fire engine with all the cars going around him down the runway and a superbike was doing wheelies - he was smiling and laughing. They put the hose up on to a police car which made him laugh.
"We were just glad we could create those special memories for him and the family.
"He flew over his house and went round all the bays in Swansea, he absolutely loved it and there was an ice cream van there and he had a ice cream."
During Morgan's hospital treatment in Birmingham a nurse wrote comforting phrases in Welsh so colleagues could soothe him, which went viral on TikTok.
His parents decided to set up their own charity, Morgan's Army, external, raising thousands of pounds for families of children diagnosed with cancer.
Related topics
- Published30 May 2023
- Published30 October 2022
- Published23 June 2023
