Mitch Middleton, 28, who issued heartbreaking 5-word plea in cancer fight dies

A brave man whose family were trying to raise £500,000 for cutting-edge cancer treatment has died.

Mitch Middleton, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was given world-shattering news in December 2023 when he was diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma, a rare and aggressive type of cancer that that forms in lymph tissue of the brain, spinal cord or cerebrospinal fluid.

The 28-year-old was touched by the kindness of strangers who contributed to a fundraiser set up to help him battle the inoperable brain tumour. Despite the hope of treatment, his devastated girlfriend Amelia announced this morning that Mitch had lost his inspiring fight.

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She wrote on facebook: "I wish this wasn't what I had to be writing to you all. As you all know, Mitchell has been fighting cancer for a long time now, like the absolute warrior he is. This morning, Mitchell unfortunately lost his battle, and peacefully passed away with myself and his loved ones by his side at 02:12am September 17th 2025.

"I think we can all agree, Mitchell brought nothing but laughter and joy to all of our lives, and life will never be the same without him." She went on: "Myself and Mitchell's family are so grateful for everyone who followed and supported his journey. We will post further details regarding his funeral at a later stage.

"Before Mitchell passed, he wrote a message out that he was going to post to update you, but unfortunately he never got the chance. I feel it's only right in true Mitchell style, to tell you what he wrote, so he could have the final word - Thank you to every single person out there that tried save me. See you all on the other side."

Despite the devastating diagnosis, Mitch sought out a private specialist in London and learned of a cutting-edge therapy that could aid him - although the treatment came at a cost of £475,000. The family created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds and the public responded with almost £250,000 pledged.

The gas engineer started getting headaches and feeling sick while on holiday with his girlfriend. When they returned to the UK they were given the harrowing news. "I really don't want to die before my 29th birthday," Mitch said on a post on the page. "The only option for me is either get lucky with a clinical trial or private treatment."

His sister Jessie told The Mirror last year that Mitch's diagnosis had sent shockwaves through the family. She added: "When we received the news of Mitch's diagnosis last year, the bottom fell out of our world, how could our baby brother, at 27, have CNS lymphoma?

"After further tests and consultations, we had hope and a treatment plan. The last year has been so incredibly difficult for us as a family, watching our brother spend more time in hospital than out, although his resilience throughout gave us all strength.

"However, there is absolutely nothing that can prepare you for the news we received less than two weeks ago. No family should ever have to hear that someone they love is not going to be here next year."

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