Joshua Wilson will always be in our hearts says Katy Fidler

I was 14 when Josh was born and couldn’t really comprehend what becoming an aunty meant.

It felt as though I was just getting another sibling.

Little did I know that my life was about to change for the better and an incredible journey was about to start.

My brothers and I met Josh the day after he was born and instantly fell in love.

We had no experiences with babies, so awkwardly held him and lovingly teased him over his squashed face, and chubby legs.

Dawn, our big sister and Josh's mum, instantly became a ‘grown up’ in our eyes.

Josh slotted right in to our family, and we all played a role in his life.

Josh was a happy, cheeky, funny three-and-a-half-year-old when he was diagnosed with a brain stem brain tumour.

No doctors could predict what was going to happen, just that he needed to have the tumour removed.

The night before his operation, I sat with Dawn at the bottom of her stairs while she cried.

No amount of consoling could prepare her for what was to come.

Lifesaving brain surgery to remove the tumour left Joshua in a coma, before he then started his recovery in rehab.

The complicated surgery due to the location of the brain stem left him with complex physical needs, epilepsy, scoliosis, joint and chest problems and an acquired brain injury.

Dawn and Josh’s dad, Colin, were determined that Josh lived a normal life, and made sure that, no matter what, he was included.

My eyes were opened. Suddenly we had a disabled family member and a whole new world appeared.

The prejudice received because Josh no longer looked or acted “normal” was completely outweighed by the love and kindness shown by complete strangers.

My family was brought even closer, and the motto "you only live once" rang truer than ever.

Throughout Josh’s younger years, it became clear that Dawn's house required adapting so he could live at home.

Due to very little amounts of funds available, Dawn, decided to fundraise and after a full year of hard work, incredible support from the people of Bury and afar, she eventually hit her £25,000 target.

Josh was able to stay at home.

Dawn and Josh realised that they may not be the only family affected in such a way and decided they wanted to help others.

The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity became a registered charity in 2013.

In its first year alone, they raised more than £100,000.

The charity's mission: Helping Josh give help and hope to children and their families who have brain tumours and post-surgery disabilities.

Josh was incredibly proud of his charity, and his love, magical smile, strength and hilarious personality started to grow him the nickname #SuperJosh.

A few months after celebrating his charity's first birthday, and years of incredible health hurdles for Josh, my family’s world crashed.

Joshua passed away on November 3, 2014, aged just 14.

Immediately the new family and friends created from the charity engulfed us in love, support and care. It was just incredible.

Dawn and the Thumbraisiers were determined to continue with Josh’s legacy and give back to Bury's community.

Over the past 4 years, The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Charity has assisted more than 1,500 families and raised more than £500,000.

It has assisted organisations and places along Josh’s journey, hospitals, care centres, special schools and brain tumour awareness groups.

No matter what, Josh will always be in my heart, my first nephew, the first love of my life.

I am an incredibly proud aunty of what he achieved in his life and how the charity spreads knowledge, support and care to families, and young people in need.

Our little spud, our SuperJosh.