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'It's very hard for us to digest. We're lost.'
The family of a teenage footballer from Tameside who died just weeks after being diagnosed with leukaemia have spoken of their devastation as they paid a moving tribute to him.
The loved ones of Haaris Ansari, 13, from Ashton-under-Lyne, were left stunned when he was diagnosed with the blood cancer after he started to feel unwell at the end of last month.
He had started chemotherapy but developed an infection and died on Saturday (March 14) just a fortnight after he was diagnosed. Haaris, a pupil at West Hill School in Stalybridge, was a big Manchester City fan and played for local youth side Dukinfield Tigers.
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Scores of tributes have now been paid by devastated friends, coaches and teammates following his shock death.
Speaking on behalf of his family, Haaris' uncle Safyaan Ansari, 40, described his nephew as a 'very jolly person.' "He had two big dimples and a huge smile, you couldn't mistake him for anyone else" he said.
"He loved his family, he loved his friends. He was very family orientated. He was very protective of his mum and his two sisters. His mum called him her Chat GPT. Whatever she wanted or needed, he would do it for her. He had such a big group of friends.
"He was very smart. All his teachers were very fond of him. He had ambitions to become either a police officer or an electrician.
"He loved sport, MMA, boxing but particularly football. He played for Dukinfield Tigers. He was very committed and very independent. He would travel to training on his own on his e-scooter even though we always offered him a lift."
Safyaan said last month Haaris became feeling unwell, feeling 'weak', not eating vomiting. "He assumed he had some sort of stomach bug or a flu" his uncle said. However due to ongoing concerns they took him to Tameside General Hospital on February 27 where blood tests showed he likely had Leukaemia. The diagnosis was confirmed the following week and he began chemotherapy.
He was transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital where he died on Saturday after developing an infection. The family are expecting an inquest to be held in order to determine the cause of his death.
"It's really hard for us to process" Saafyaan said. "I keep thinking last week I was talking to him and he was absolutely fine He was in good spirits. It's very hard for us to digest. We're heartbroken. We're lost. "
Hundreds of people attended his funeral at the Hamzah mosque in Ashton on Monday. Friends have organised a balloon release on Palace Road field in Ashton at 4:30pm on Saturday.
Whilst one of Haaris' coaches, Ciaran Henshaw, is urging Manchester City and Arsenal fans to join in a minute's applause in his honour in the 13th minute of the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
Dukinfield Tigers chairman Paul Heathcote said in a statement posted on the club's social media channels on Monday: "Haaris was a valued and much-loved member of our U14s Stripes team.
"We are incredibly proud that he wore the Tigers badge and we will always remember the joy, kindness and spirit he brought to our team.
"Today, several of Haaris’s teammates and coaches attended his funeral to pay their respects and honour his memory. The coaching team behind the U14s have been, and continue to be, a solid force of support for the players and families during this incredibly difficult time, always putting the wellbeing of the team at the heart of everything they do.
"As a club we are supporting one another through this difficult period. We would also like to thank the EMJFL league and Cheshire FA for the fantastic support they have shown.
"Over the coming weeks we will look at ways to appropriately honour Haaris and ensure his memory remains a lasting part of our club, while continuing to support all those impacted by this loss.
"On behalf of myself as Chairman, and the entire Tigers committee, we send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Haaris’s family and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Haaris will forever remain a Tiger, and his memory will live on in our club." The chairman added he had made a 'considerable donation' to a crowdfunding campaign organised on behalf of his family.
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