A NEWPORT teenager known for his fighting spirit after battling two life-threatening illnesses has died after contracting pneumonia.

Andrew Lee, of High Cross Lane, died at Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales on May 6 aged 19 after contracting the infection two weeks before. The former Bassaleg School pupil had been fighting Crohn’s disease since the age of eight and had also been diagnosed with non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2009.

After undergoing numerous operations and treatment for Crohn’s, including taking anti-inflammatory medication which suppresses the immune system, the pneumonia infection was too much for the brave young man.

Andrew’s father, Martyn, said: “He was always a fighter and was always so positive about everything but his body had just had enough.”

Andrew had undergone around 10 operations in his lifetime while battling Crohn’s.

He also underwent a two-year course of mild chemotherapy after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, which doctors believed had been successful.

But at the end of the summer last year, Andrew was readmitted to hospital after his Crohn’s disease flared up again leading to more treatment, including having a drainage tube placed in his bowel in February this year.

Although he had been discharged around three times from the hospital since being admitted, he was always readmitted within a fewdays and was in the hospital when he died with his parents by his side.

The Argus reported last year how Andrew, who was a keen indoor bowls player, was given the trip of a lifetime to the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Great Yarmouth through the Make A Wish Foundation. Andrew was also selected to play for the Wales u16 team two years ago but was unable to compete in the Home Nations competition due to him being in hospital at the time. HismumDebra said: “He was a true fighter and always had a positive attitude. Everyone knew him for his cheeky smile.”

Andrew’s funeral will be held on May 23 at St Basil’s Church in Wales, Church View, Bassaleg, at 1.15pm.