TRIBUTES have flooded in for the late Celtic mad thirteen year old who won the heart of NDubz Dappy and countless other celebrities.
Brave Crookston lad Mark Sparky Gallagher passed away from brain tumour Craniopharyngioma on Saturday.
The terminally ill schoolboy was diagnosed with the condition six and a half years ago and his mum Michelle, 31, and seven year old brother Che were told at the start of the year by doctors there was nothing more they could do following thirty eight operations.
Friends and family, with help from the Les Hoey MBE Dreammaker Foundation, Glasgows Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Robin House did their utmost to make his short life as memorable as they could.
During his illness Sparky was sent messages of support from everyone including Shameless star Jody Latham, View guitarist Kieren Webster and Geordie Shore's Jay Gardner.
He featured in the Dreammaker Christmas song, sang with Susan Boyle, met most of the Celtic team including Scott Brown and Callum McGregor and was thrilled to have close contact with NDubz rapper Dappy. Family friend Lindsay Coyle said at the time: "Sparky is Dappy’s number one fan and even loves him more than his beloved Celtic."
The two met initially in 2012 at a London recording studio organised by children’s charity Rays of Sunshine.
In January, Sparky's birthday month, they were reunited when Dappy met up with him after two Scots gigs.
Amongst those who have paid tribute to Sparky's passing were Celtic legend Bertie Auld who visited Sparky just last week in Robin House.
He sent a private message to Sparky's mum within hours of hearing the news.
BAFTA award winning actress Kathleen McDermott also said: "My heart is breaking - fly high little man. Love you and will miss u sooo much!!"
Les Hoey and Angela Jamieson Cook from the Dreammaker Foundation said: "He was a remarkably strong wee boy who always gave people a high five no matter how ill he was. He was such a cheeky chap and was even twerking to music on Friday in Robin House."
Posted with Love in Scotland from theshowbizlion.com
Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Evening Times and Daily Record
