'Nothing can stop the pain I'm feeling. No one should ever have to die like that. It was horrible... Danny was a poor, innocent boy and we're devastated'

WITH these words a mother movingly praised her courageous son - the south's bravest youngster Danny Bond.

And today the Daily Echo joins the chorus of tributes pouring in to the 21-year-old who has lost his fight against incurable illness after more than 300 operations.

His plight touched the hearts of an entire community which raised an astonishing £27,000 in a campaign to fund potentially life-saving surgery.

Danny died at Southampton General Hospital, in the room which has been his home for the last four years. His mother Beverley and step-dad Mike were at his side for his final moments.

Last night his mum thanked the hundreds who gave her son the will to live by donating to the appeal when she told the paper last night: "I can't say enough.

"I want to thank every single reader who donated money - it made such a difference to Danny and gave us all hope.

"Every time there was a piece in the Echo he loved it. But ultimately it just wasn't to be for him.

"We have been expecting this and we have talked about it so much, but nothing can stop the pain I'm feeling. No-one should ever have to die like that. It was horrible."

Danny's stepdad Mike added: "It is impossible to put into words what all the tributes mean to us. Danny is at peace for the first time in his life now - he doesn't feel the pain."

The end came at around 6.40pm, onSunday. Danny had decided before the weekend - on his 21st birthday - that he would not continue receiving treatment for his illnesses, which included an incurable bowel complaint and the superbug MRSA.

Today Danny's close friend Gary Malson, who was responsible for orchestrating so many fundraising events on his friend's behalf, told how the youngster had changed his life.

"Danny's tale is an amazing story about an amazing person, who was an inspiration to us all," he said.

"He made me change the way I look at life. Every day you see whingers who want to moan about something. But when I think of the pain Danny was in and the spirit he had it really brings it home.

"You could pay tribute all day to someone like Danny, but the same words keep coming up: determination, spirit and brave.

"He felt he had achieved nothing in life because of his illness, but in reality he has achieved so much more than most. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by everyone who knew him."

And Beverley made no attempt to hold back her grief as she added: "Knowing this was going to happen doesn't make it any easier. Danny was a poor, innocent boy and we are devastated.

"He always said he wanted to be remembered, and he certainly will by everyone who knew him. But for now we are keeping things private, at least until the funeral is arranged."

In March this year, after being told UK surgeons could no longer help him, Danny said he did not want further treatment and was ready to die - prompting an overwhelming response from readers which gave him new hope.

Donations poured in, and after just four days more than £8,000 had been raised to pay for a trip to the US, where renowned surgeons at the Mayo Clinic believed they could save Danny.

But they dealt him a bitter blow last month by announcing they could no longer treat his condition, and as Danny's self-esteem dropped, his family started a frantic race against time to find another doctor who would help. No-one had been found when Danny said he was quitting his treatment.

As of today, the Danny's Decision fund stands at just over £27,000. The cash will pay for Danny's funeral, and the remainder will be used to buy vital hospital equipment for patients suffering similar conditions.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week.