TRIBUTES have poured in for a toddler who lost his brave battle against leukaemia and there have even been calls for a star to be named after him.

Two-year-old Charlie Harris-Beard of Kidderminster died on Friday following a courageous battle with the illness and since then the family has received hundreds of messages of condolence, sympathy and support. There was a minute’s silence in memory of him at the Kidderminster Harriers game on Saturday with Charlie’s team winning 3-2 against Cambridge.

The match was attended by Charlie’s family. Charlie also received a minute’s loud applause for the courage he showed. Messages on Charlie’s facebook page which already has nearly 50,000 ‘likes’ included one from Vicki Ince who has set up an events page called ‘Lets Name A Star After Charlie’. Charlie and has family have also been nominated for the Pride of Britain Awards 2013 which are only given to a child or adult who has displayed remarkable courage.

In April 2011 Charlie, aged just 10 months, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and within just four months he had been through four intensive cycles of chemotherapy. He had a bone marrow transplant in October 2011. The family has urged people to sign an e-petition to increase awareness and availability of umbilical cord donations which has already received more than 10,000 signatures. The family aims to set up a charity, ‘Cords4Life’ to increase awareness of how umbilical cord donations can save lives.

  • * A group of people are all meeting at the cafe by the river in Grandstand Road, Worcester at 7.45pm on Friday, February 15 to light Chinese lanterns and set balloons off at 8pm for Charlie.
  • * To support the petition visit Charlie’s facebook page ‘Help Save Baby Charlie Harris-Beard’ or visit epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/45622

Tribute messages

  • “RIP little man xxx’ (Tracey Martin Compton),
  • “So much love and respect to your family little soldier fly high beautiful never forgotten xxx R.IParadise Charlie xxxxxxxxx’ (Sophie Louise Ryder),
  • ‘Still thinking of u angel I will never forget u my thoughts and love are with your family you are a beautiful amazing little boy Charlie you’re a legend xxxxxxxxxx (Nicola Fry)
  •  ‘RIP little charlie. Play with your angel friends darling xxxxxx (Wendy Parr),
  • ‘sleep tight angel x’ (Michelle Severn)
  • ‘What a brave little man, will always have a place in my heart. Sending strength and prayers to his family. RIP Charlie x’ (Catherine Owens)
  •  ‘Sweet dreams Charlie x’ (Elizabeth Hilling)
  •  ‘no more pain, needles or nasty things sweetheart, just football in the sunshine xxxxx’ (Sandra Rochelle)
  • ‘the most heartbreaking news I have ever had. I will always think of you, and hope you are somewhere you feel joy, love and peace sweet and fun xxx’ (Britt Adams)
  •  ’He’s the nation’s hero. Rip little fella’ (Louise Davies)

Facebook tributes to Charlie