A FATHER has told of the heartbreaking moment his 13-year-old son died in his arms.

Devastated Stephen Platt said he and schoolboy Lewis had been out for a drive when he mysteriously took ill and collapsed.

The 48-year-old, who lives in Cobden Street, Radcliffe, said: “Lewis was my shadow, he was always with me.

“He never leaves my side, he’s a proper daddy’s boy.

“I can’t believe he’s gone.

“The only thing that I can cling to is that he went in my arms. He did everything with me and I’m glad I was there when he died.”

Lewis’s dad says his death is a complete mystery. Two days before, he had been to the doctor because his feet had swollen up and was given antibiotics. Mr Platt has been in touch with a number of doctors but as yet there is no explanation for his death.

The pair went for a drive in Mr Platt’s new car on Wednesday, March 7, but as they returned home Mr Platt could tell Lewis was not feeling himself.

He said: “Lewis sat at the door but he said he was alright. He stood up but he was unsteady and he sat down again to get his breath and I could sense there was something bothering him. He would never mention when he was ill. I called an ambulance, I was on the phone to an operator and Lewis said ‘I think I’m alright’ and he became a dead weight.

“I put him in the recovery position and his eyes were wide open, he was completely gone. I spent 20 minutes in the driveway giving him mouth to mouth to try and keep him going and a neighbour came to help, but before I even lay him down he was gone.”

Mr Platt said: “An ambulance came, they did everything they could. In the hospital I held his hand saying ‘wake up, you’re only 13’.”

After an hour of trying to resuscitate Lewis in hospital Mr Platt told staff they had ‘done their best’ and to let him go. He said: “He was completely shut down. I held his hand and had a cry.”

Mr Platt had many happy memories of playing and watching football with Lewis. The teenager was a season ticket holder at Bury FC and used to attend Manchester United matches with his dad.

Tributes were paid to Lewis at the Bury FC v Peterborough Utd game. The club conducted a bucket collection and there was a minute-long applause.

Adam Loster, headteacher at St Gabriel’s said: “Lewis was a lovely young man who had a wonderful sense of humour. His love for football was clear during his time here, especially his ongoing support for Bury ‘Shakers’. His smile and laughter will be long remembered amongst his peers.”

When Mr Platt’s colleagues heard about the tragedy they began crowdfunding to help with funeral costs and other expenses, with a target of £7,000. Mr Platt said: “They rang and said could they do a thanksgiving page and I thought they meant a condolences page which they would all sign. I never expected all this.”

More help came from a surprise source when comedian Jason Manford shared the funding page. The comedian has been helping support charity pages like Mr Platt’s for some time, getting fans to donate a small amount to reach the target before stopping — they call themselves ‘charity ninjas’.

Mr Platt called the support ‘amazing’ and said as well as the charity ninjas, donations came in from Lewis’ St Gabriel’s RC High School friends and the many others who knew him.

Mr Platt said: “I didn’t realise how popular Lewis was, it was superb.”

Sher Khan, owner of Care Connect where Mr Platt works, said: “It’s hit everyone very hard, we’re a very close team and Stephen is very popular. We decided we had to do something for him and the idea was to set up a funding page.

“The response was amazing, we had a target of £7,000 and we exceeded that and there’s still money coming in.”

To donate to the crowdfunding page visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/care-connect?utm_id=106&utm_term=B2ZbgE89J online.

Lewis had lived with his dad since 2015, his mother Yvette Albon lives in Worthing with Lewis’ brother Jayden, aged nine. He also leaves behind sisters Chloe Edwards, aged 24 and Carly Albon, aged 19.

Lewis’ funeral will be held on Tuesday at St Thomas and St John, New Church Street, Radcliffe at 9.30am.

His funeral will be football themed and those who attend are asked to wear a football shirt.