Bobby McBride, 17, of Ovenden, Halifax, died after fighting muscular disease dermatomyositis at St James's Hospital, Leeds, with his family at his bedside.

Doctors said there was nothing more they could do for the avid snooker player, who suffered complications as a result of the painful condition and the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life support machine was made.

"It was 8pm when we switched his life support off, and for 15 minutes we kissed him, held him and talked to him," said his mum, Anne McCarthy. "We put his iPod on and put in his earphones. He listened to David Gray's Sail Away for those last precious minutes. After all he'd been through, he went peacefully but we have been left completely numb."

Bobby, a former pupil at The Ridings, became ill 14 months ago. It started as a sore throat but his family realised it was more serious when a severe rash developed, he started to lose weight and lost the strength in his muscles and joints.

At Christmas, 2006, Bobby went to hospital with an abscess on his hip. Doctors told him he would die if he didn't have it removed there and then. It was the first of many operations and tests but it was several months before dermatomyositis was diagnosed.

The blistering rashes spread causing open wounds on his knuckles, toes, heels and elbows.

"He was in so much pain but he never let on. That boy was so brave right until the end and we are so proud of him," dad, Mick McBride said.

"Up until then he'd been strong and healthy but he suffered hell in those 14 months.

"I'll never know why he had to go, he was one of the best."

The dermatomyositis spread to Bobby's lungs. He struggled to breathe and as a result, endured terrifying panic attacks, lasting hours at a time.

Eventually both his lungs collapsed and Bobby died on January 28, after being sedated and put on life support.

Anne said: "We'd never given up hope that he would get better but then that was it and there was nothing else anyone could do."

Hundreds of people turned out for Bobby's funeral at St Malachy's Church, Halifax, including his three sisters, Adele, 21, Donna, 38, and Julie, 37.

Mick added: "People were stood outside because there was no room in the church. He was such a popular boy and he will live on in our hearts and memories forever."

Fact File

• Dermatomyositis is a connective tissue and autoimmune disease. The immune system cannot tell the difference between viruses and bacteria, and its own cells, so attacks itself.


• The cause is still unknown.


• Symptoms include a rash , difficulty swallowing and lumps or sheets of calcium under the skin.


• The disease can be accompanied by depression and misery.


• It can affect people of any age and sex.


• For information visit the support group at www.myositis.org.uk.

Did you know Bobby? Post your tribute below.