Charlie Smith
A TERMINALLY ill five-year-old who Lewis Hamilton dubbed his ‘spirit angel’ has died.
Harry Shaw, from Surrey, who had a rare form of bone cancer, helped inspire the racing driver to his Spanish Grand Prix win.
The reigning Formula One world champion received a ‘good luck’ message from the boy ahead of his race in Barcelona.
Hamilton, 34, finished ahead of his Finnish Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas who placed second, to claim his fifth world title.
In a tribute Hamilton said: “Harry, thank you for being such a positive light to us all. You’re so brave and the world will miss you dearly. Thank you, friend and inspiration.”
A post on a JustGiving page set up for the youngster read: “On 1 June 2019, five-year-old Harry Shaw took his last breath after a tough 10 month battle against Ewing’s Sarcoma; a rare bone cancer.”
Over €250,000 was raised in Harry’s name for the the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Other sports stars to support the fund included cricketer Jos Buttler, tennis player Novak Djokovic and former footballer Gary Lineker.
Harry was diagnosed in August when a routine scan revealed a tumour the ‘size of a large baked potato’ in his chest.
His parents Charlotte and James said: “We are SO proud of Harry and everything he achieved in his life and the legacy he has created to help others. We miss him so much.”
After Hamilton was alerted to Harry’s illness, he said: “You are such a strong boy, I wish I was as strong as you, I wanted the world to see how strong you are.”
He then sent his Spanish Grand Prix trophy to Harry’s home, and even organised for a full-size replica of his F1 car to be parked on the youngster’s driveway.
Harry, who leaves behind a two-year-old sister, died in ‘terrible pain and suffering’, according to his parents.
Those who want to donate to the page for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity can click here.
