Tributes to Inverness youngster Leo Flett who captured the hearts of many
Dozens of people have posted messages of sympathy and support online for the family of Leo Flett whose death was announced this morning.
The four-year-old from Balloch was born with a rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy affecting fewer than 500 people across Britain.
In a bid to improve life for him and others with his parents Mitch and Louse launched the Leo's Pride group, raising funds for his care and for the Muscular Dystrophy UK charity.
In a message on the group's Facebook page this morning they said: "We have woken today, realising that yesterday wasn’t just one dreadful nightmare that we would all wake up from.
"There is nothing that we can say that will do our precious boy justice.
"He was our entire world and touched the heart of everyone who had the privilege of meeting him. We were extremely privileged to be his parents.
"We will forever be proud of everything he did, the boy he became. He definitely taught us all a lesson about how to love life.
"Now comes the hard part of continuing our lives without him around."
During his short life, Leo was frequently admitted to hospital, including for a respiratory tract infection when he was 11 months old that resulted in him being placed on life support and spending four months on ventilators to help him breathe.
A group of 27 brave volunteers had recently signed up to take part in a series of skydives to raise money for Leo's Pride.
Among tributes already paid online Gemma Kennedy said: "No words can justify how tragic this news is to us all.
"Leo was an inspiration and because of him and his fight he will forever be remembered and hopefully others will be helped thanks to his amazing strength and courage.
"Leo the little lion king."
Lesley Smith said: "His life may have been short but he left a huge mark and will never be forgotten."
