BRAVE Dunfermline schoolboy Aaron Murphy has tragically lost his battle with cancer.

The McLean Primary pupil, aged 11, died last week after being flown back from London where he was undergoing pioneering treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Aaron, whose story has been reported by the Press, was fighting relapsed neuroblastoma after the cancer came back five-and-a-half years into remission.

He had joined a trial using anti-GD2 T-Cells, which was the only hope of recovery for Aaron following unsuccessful attempts to combat the disease through other treatment.

However, a month into treatment, scan results were not what was hoped. The disease turned aggressive when it entered the bone marrow and progressed fiercely after that.

Parents Douglas and Louise said at the time: "It looks like the T-Cells haven’t been able to do much to slow this monster of a disease down."

Aaron's heath deteriorated quickly in May and after bravely enduring pain through treatment, the decision was taken to move him to Edinburgh for palliative care and to be nearer home.

His parents wrote on the Aaron – Childhood Cancer Warrior Facebook page: "On Thursday 30th May at 3pm, Aaron, our beautiful, brave, most caring boy, peacefully left this world with Mum and Dad by his side.

"Throughout this journey Aaron remained strong and brave, charming all who met him. Even during the most horrible days, he was always so polite.

"As parents, we could not be more proud of Aaron. He has taught us so much in his short life.

"Fly high beautiful boy, we will miss you."

Aaron's family knew there was no standard treatment path for children who relapse with neuroblastoma and their chances of long-term survival are less than 10 per cent.

But, following the Press' front page on Aaron's fight in March, the West Fife community rallied around the youngster to raise money for further treatment aboard that isn’t available on the NHS, through charity Solving Kids' Cancer.

In just a short time at least £4,757 was raised – testament to how many people Aaron touched despite his short life.

Hundreds of messages of support have been sent to the Murphys.

One woman said: "Absolutely devastated for you all. Aaron was such a brave, caring, beautiful boy and he had the most heartwarming smile."

"You should be justifiably proud of Aaron, he was such a charming and articulate boy who was always thinking of others," said another. "My heart goes out to you and your extended family and those whose lives have been enriched by knowing Aaron."

On Tuesday, Dougie and Louise explained that they were "still aching for our boy but we are managing to put one foot in front of the other".

They thanked everyone for their unfailing support and for the countless messages that have moved them to tears.

Aaron’s celebration of life service will take place at the Glen Pavilion, Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline, on Thursday, June 13 at 12pm.