TRIBUTES have been paid to an ‘inspirational’ Hampshire boy who lost his battle with cancer.

Phelan Jordan was five years old when he died in his mother’s arms, following his fight with neuroblastoma.

Mum Cynthia, and his father George, who has worked at Chilworth Technology Chemists for ten years, have paid tribute to their little boy.

George said: “I have had to live four unaccountable years of my life always asking, why not me?

“If there was a way to swap places at this very moment, I would do just that.”

In 2015, Phelan, who went to Tiny Toes Day Nursery in Lordshill, Southampton, featured in the campaign to raise money for the Centre for Cancer Immunology at Southampton and last year, he was invited to lay the time capsule for the research centre.

In May this year, he also lead a group of well-wishers on the Ride For Phelan campaign, which saw supporters do a 64-mile bike ride round the Isle of Wight.

A tribute from the family, which include his two siblings Kelton and Jude, said: “You taught us how to love. You defended your siblings in time of trouble and when we made the call for support to help save your life, the response became global.

“I open the curtains every morning, hoping to see you returning home to us. Unfortunately, as we all know, you can only be there in spirit.”