An inspirational teenager has died after years battling aggressive cancer.

Jake Rafferty's family were told numerous times he was about to die and on occasions he was given the last rites but managed to pull through.

The 18-year-old, who lived in Britannia Close, Halling, returned from the brink – defying medical science.

Despite his major health issues, he achieved his goal of climbing Mount Snowdon – Britain's second highest mountain – in a specially-adapted trike.

His efforts, together with the team supporting him, raised £2,500 for Spinal Research UK.

The sports-mad teen also competed in wheelchair rugby and was an avid Manchester United fan.

Two years ago, parents Emma and Adrian Rafferty moved to southern Ireland with their five children to give Jake a better quality of life.

But last Thursday, he lost his long battle and passed away in a Dublin hospital.

Speaking from his Wexford home this week, grandfather Austin Howlett said: "He was very brave, a fighter.

"During his time here he was hardly ill and enjoyed going on the beach with his dog. He put on a real fight."

Two weeks ago Jake fell ill and was transferred from a local hospital for treatment in the Irish capital.

His funeral was held on Monday and among the mourners was his close friend Sam from Halling.

Jake, who attended The Malling School in East Malling, first faced death in 2012 after an aggressive tumour covering eight vertebra was discovered in his spine.

After numerous operations and medical setbacks, he was left wheelchair-bound and paralysed from the waist down.

After several spells in and out hospital, his parents – both former Met police officers – rejected traditional treatments offered by doctors and turned to alternative medicine.

Emma researched unconventional cures and came across a dietary treatment used in America, aimed at advanced cancer patients.

For a while the £1,000-a-month treatment appeared to work as Jake, their eldest child, started to regain some muscle movement and breathe unaided.

Their relocation to Ireland cost £8,000 for a specially-equipped private jet and medical supervision during the flight.

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