Tributes to smiling six-year-old

THE DEVASTATED family and friends of a smiling six-year-old who died after a life-long battle with heart problems have paid tribute to the way that he brightened up their lives.Brave Bradley Kelsall was born with a heart defect and battled through three ma
THE DEVASTATED family and friends of a smiling six-year-old who died after a life-long battle with heart problems have paid tribute to the way that he brightened up their lives.

Brave Bradley Kelsall was born with a heart defect and battled through three major operations in his short life.

But a fourth stay in surgery in December “just proved too much” for the bright youngster, who leaves grieving friends and relatives with hundreds of happy times.

His mum, Kirsty Tiler, said: “It’s hard to think of specific memories because Bradley was Bradley, day in and day out.

“Every single day was a highlight.

“He was a real character, who could be a bit cheeky at times, but always had a smile on his face.”

Kirsty (27) and Bradley’s dad, Lee Kelsall (28), were honest with their son about his medical troubles, without upsetting him.

“Towards the end of last year he was asking more questions about it, and understood that he was a bit different,” Kirsty said.

“We couldn’t tell him straight to the point but were as truthful as we possibly could have been without scaring him.”

Leeds United fan Bradley loved motorbikes from the time his dad bought him a toy replica.

He picked up a knack for playing snooker and pool after trying it on a family outing, and loved swimming—whether it was at Maltby Sports Centre or on holiday.

Kirsty, of Mowbray Street, East Dene, said: “He enjoyed it when we went to Egypt, but his first holiday was in Tenerife when he was two. He just loved playing in the pool.

“He was a curious child, always asking questions. He was very popular and loved school because he could be with his friends.”

Mourners packed into Rotherham Crematorium for the funeral last Thursday (14), with many having to stand.

Donations were collected for wards four and ten at Leeds General Infirmary, where Bradley stayed after his operations.

Kirsty said: “The staff there were brilliant in the way they looked after not just him, but me and his dad as well.”

Plans for a permanent memorial are already underway at High Greave Infant School.

Head teacher June Hitchcock said: “We are going to miss Bradley. He was a little character and made us smile every day.

“He was a fighter, in a sense of keeping going when things were hard for him. He was a happy child who loved school.

“We are already working on a memorial, likely to be a seat or bench, as part of the garden project we are working on.”

Scores of tributes have been left on Facebook. Tracey Speight wrote: “RIP lil’ man. My son Joshua was talking about you today, he said you were his friend and he’s going to miss you lots.”

Demi Parkin said Bradley was a “little legend who didn’t deserve to be taken away like this”, and Lisa Bilewicz added: “I will always remember your smiling face coming through the door. Go and play with the angels, little man, show them your gorgeous smile.”