Tributes have poured in online to a 17-year-old who died after a battle with a heart condition.
Alex, also known as “Kipsta” on his social media channels, passed away following a seven-hour operation, but “his heart couldn’t take it anymore” and “he was too week to survive,” his sister said.
Posting on his Twitter account, she wrote: “Heaven gained another angel he was my rock my everything . RIP Alex.”
She also shared a sweet photo of her and her brother along with the moving tweet.
The teenager was known for updating followers on his condition, regularly filming and posting from his hospital bed via Facebook and his YouTube channel.
Thank you so much to those who supported Alex thru his hospital journey you all been so amazing !you all kept him g… https://t.co/Y2Q59B3Hbc— Sir. Kipsta (@Sir. Kipsta) 1623379854
As an avid football fan, his YouTube videos consisted of live streams watching his favourite team Manchester United play.
He also shared experiences of his health struggles with positivity good humour, such as in his clip: “25 Things you can ask for whilst you’re staying in a Hospital (NHS).”
The teen received an outpouring of support from the football community and set up a GoFundMe page after Alex’s mum had to quit her job in order to support him.
“Kipsta has had heart failure which has gotten worse over the years to the point where he’s had to come into hospital where he’ll be living until he gets a heart transplant,” a statement on the site reads.
“However, first he has to get fit for the transplant surgery.”
“With money being an obvious worry, Kipsta needs our help. It has taken a long time to convince him to set this up due to his humility but with the situation worsening, he needs our help.”
Since creating the page, the GoFundMe has reached its fundraising goal of £10,000.
GoFundMe
After his sister posted the tragic news of his deaths, Alex’s supporters shared their grief and celebrated him as “one of the nicest guys”.
You were the bravest the person I’ve ever met. Even though you were going through you so much you were so caring an… https://t.co/1h6XLMQEmx— Breezy🇩🇪 (@Breezy🇩🇪) 1623394587
Woke up today to the sad news of Alex’s passing. Life can be so cruel and really has a way of showing u what’s im… https://t.co/GxHLqv6FcI— JonnyUtd (@JonnyUtd) 1623394610
A humble guy who only wanted to help others, gone way too soon. rip alex 💔😓 https://t.co/shheJfH8MX— Ben Livingstone🐐🇨🇮 (@Ben Livingstone🐐🇨🇮) 1623378309
Just rewatching Kipsta’s videos and its crushing. “im gonna give my best shot, and i wont let nothing stop me fro… https://t.co/PC2jsvxycO— 𝓲𝓭𝓲𝓸𝓽 (@𝓲𝓭𝓲𝓸𝓽) 1623383195
This is the saddest thing I’ve read in a long time, I personally didn’t know Alex but always seen his updates on my… https://t.co/sY0DviZ0Jc— Milkydinho (@Milkydinho) 1623389718
Some well-wishers also urged people to go and subscribe to his YouTube channel - which now has over 10,000 subscribers and growing.
@KipstaUnited RIP Alex..... Get his youtube channel to 10k. It was his dream and let's make it happen. https://t.co/zlU2rLEXOU— Mofu〽️ (@Mofu〽️) 1623384078
Get his youtube channel to 10k. It was his dream. RIP Alex ❤️🙏🏻 https://t.co/vGkY7He0JY— 𝙈𝙉𝙀. (@𝙈𝙉𝙀.) 1623393948
I promise you rn I’m getting this kid to 10k yt subs, it was his dream, it’s happening https://t.co/Nwb1u3hwiu— Melly🔱 (@Melly🔱) 1623376518
Alex’s channel is almost at 10k subs which was a dream of he is. Let’s make it happen ➡️ https://t.co/g1UI4CjbSA… https://t.co/AzfNQM5Ro7— The United Stand (@The United Stand) 1623399087
Overwhelmed by response, his sister thanked those for their touching messages.
Thank you so much to those who supported Alex thru his hospital journey you all been so amazing !you all kept him g… https://t.co/Y2Q59B3Hbc— Sir. Kipsta (@Sir. Kipsta) 1623379854
Rest in peace, Alex.