Dad with a ‘heart of gold’ dies at 26

Connor Pleasance (26), from Brampton-Bierlow, died after contracting a ruptured bladder.

His mum, Jo Pleasance (48), said she was heartbroken that her “beautiful” son had died after his condition deteriorated quickly.

A ruptured bladder most commonly follows abdominal or pelvic trauma but can be spontaneous.

Jo said: “Connor was a fit and healthy lad who loved to play football and spend time with his family and friends.

“He suddenly became unwell in June and had to be rushed to A&E at Barnsley General Hospital with a ruptured bladder.

“We didn’t know how it had happened.

“It shook us seeing how poorly he became from something we knew very little of and we never expected things would get as bad as they did.

“But Connor showed a lot of fight and he briefly came out of A&E two weeks later before things got gradually worse again.”

Jo said Connor had started struggling to breath and had to be taken to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester to be placed in a coma for specialist care.

She added: “Connor then developed sepsis and pneumonia and was in a really bad way.

“His lungs had stiffened because he contracted fibrosis — his breathing became difficult — before he was placed on a life support machine.

“He would sadly never come off it but staff at the Glenfield’s Hospital were incredible for the way they looked after him. I will never forget how good they were with him.

“I was by Connor’s side always and I refused to leave him whilst he continued to battle hard.

“We placed messages around his hospital bed from friends, family and people wishing Connor well. which included people from Sweden and California.

“We wanted to show him how much he was loved and how much we wanted him to see his children again.”

Despite Connor’s determination, he died on August 14, leaving daughter Grace (5) and son Beau (four months) without a father.

Jo said losing her son was “the worst pain I have ever experienced”.

She added: “Connor was such a lovely boy who had a heart of gold and always thought about others before himself.

“It is tragic and dreadful that Connor is no longer with us and I believe it is always the good ones that are taken far too soon.

“His last words to me were to take care of his children and I will keep that promise until the day I die.

“I’m heartbroken for his partner Jade, along with his Grace and Beau.

“His children are too young to know what is happening at the moment but they will always have something to remember their daddy by.

“My boy will be in my heart forever and he will be sorely missed by everyone.”

Connor’s funeral will take place at Ardsley Crematorium at 2.50pm next Thursday, September 8, when the procession will include a horse-drawn hearse.

A reception will be held at the Bull’s Head pub in Brampton afterwards and a collection made on behalf of the acute intensive care unit at Glenfield’s Hospital.

An appeal has been founded to support Connor’s young family, which you can donate to at https://tinyurl.com/Connor-Pleasance.