A BRAVE boy whose determined fight against a severe muscle-wasting disease brought hundreds of Wyre Forest residents together to help him, has lost his battle with the condition.

Danny Sanders, who suffered with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - DMD - died of sudden heart failure on December 7, after struggling to recover from pneumonia.

The inspirational 17-year-old, who had been battling the life-threatening muscle illness for more than 10 years, spurred generous Shuttle readers into helping raise £13,000 in just six months for a special motorised wheelchair that elevated him into a standing position, after he lost the use of his legs.

His devoted mother Megan, of Linnet Rise, Kidderminster, made a desperate plea for the chair in The Shuttle six years ago to give her son more social and health benefits.

She has now thanked everyone who raised the cash for helping make “Danny’s life as good as it could possibly be”.

People were so touched by Danny’s plight that money was also raised to send him on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disney World in Florida and he even received a signed photograph from Formula One racing driver Kimi Raikkonen.

“Danny’s life and death has affected so many people as well as his family and friends,” Ms Sanders said.

“ I will be forever grateful for the kindness and support that so many gave to Danny, many of them strangers but all of them generous in making Danny’s life as good as it could possibly be. In particular the people of Kidderminster who raised £13,000 in a matter of months to purchase his standing wheelchair.

“He loved that chair and it travelled to Europe with him. It was part of Danny and it meant so much to him.”

She added: “He will be missed by all his family and friends.”

Danny, a former Heronswood Primary School pupil, was diagnosed with the life-threatening condition when he was five, after he struggled to walk and climb stairs.

Despite his illness, he went on to pass all his GCSEs at Haybridge High School & Sixth Form, Hagley and had started to study for his A-levels and planned to go to university. He also enjoyed travelling and went on trips around Europe by train.

“Danny never complained about his condition or the limitations it placed on him, although it must have been frustrating,” Ms Sanders said.

“He never wished for another life. His glass was definitely half full. Danny was brave - through all the operations, needles and procedures he never cried or complained.

“Danny has taught me so much and made me the person I am today. He has made me strong, patient, happy and content with the everyday things of life.”

Ms Sanders added she credited her daughter Bethany for helping her get through the difficult times.

The mother-of-two will now be doing a skydive on March 1 in her son’s memory to raise cash for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

She added: “I will miss him so much, as so much of my life was consumed with the things for Danny. Part of me has died with him and I have a massive hole to fill.”

People can sponsor Ms Sanders at justgiving.com/megan-sanders1