Sports champ who held Beckham's hand dies after heart transplant drugs gave him cancer

Gavin Greig, 23, underwent the lifesaving organ transplant aged just nine after being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease that affects the heart muscle.

But in December he was suddenly diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer - a rare side-effect of the anti-rejection drug he had been taking.

Gavin’s mother, Ann Greig, of Golcar, Huddersfield, said: “We always knew that there was a chance of that happening but we thought after 14 years he might have been one of the lucky ones and had got away with it.”

Gavin originally went to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for treatment on a ulcer near to his bowel, but doctors found a tumour next to the ulcer.

After test came back showing it to be cancerous Gavin was transferred to St. James’ Hospital in Leeds on December 27.

Ms Greig said: “Gavin always hoped that they would cure it and he never gave up hope, but it was such an aggressive cancer that it affected his brain in the end.

“He was a great boy, a lovely son and he really enjoyed life. He loved travelling, playing football and cricket, and he lived life to the full.

“Even in hospital with just five hours to to live he was clinging on to life.

“He was a tough cookie and was fighting right to the end. He never lost any of his manners and always said his please and thank yous while in hospital.

“One of the nurses even said to us that it was a pleasure to meet him and he had made an impact on her life even though it had only been a few weeks.”

Ms Greig, 53, said she and husband David, 69, always knew that there was a risk that Gavin could develop cancer as a result of taking anti-rejection drugs but said they had little option but to go ahead with the transplant

She said: “When Gavin needed the transplant when he was nine we knew he really needed it so we went ahead with it. We were aware of the side-affects and we have had 14 wonderful years that we wouldn’t have had otherwise.

“It happened so quickly we didn’t have any inkling it was cancer - there was no warning or anything.

“We were worried that it would be his transplanted heart that would give out as a result of the cancer but it was working throughout his treatment and was still going strong to the end.

“If Gavin hadn’t had cancer then I believe he would have many more years left ahead of him.”

Gavin, who died on January 21, had competed in the British Transplant Games aged just 11, winning two golds and a silver medal in badminton and table tennis.

He also led out the England national football team as a mascot, holding David Beckham’s hand in the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, before England’s 2-2 draw with Austria in 2004.

Ms Greig said: “He was in his element. He really, really enjoyed it meeting the team and getting to hold David Beckham’s hand.”

Gavin worked as a CNC machinist at local engineering firm Thomas Broadbent in Huddersfield since leaving school at 16.

Ann said: “It was his one and only job, he never wanted to leave. He loved it and had some great work colleagues. He was a very popular young man and we expect a number of his colleagues to come out for his funeral, but we plan to stop by his work on the way so those that can’t make the service can pay their respects.”

Ann said Gavin’s coffin will be pulled by a horse-draw carriage, a nod to his passion for horse racing.

She said: “He used to go to the Cheltenham Festival every year and was planning on going again this year. He went to all the big meets.

“We hope to put the number 31 on the horse too as that was his lucky number as he had his transplant on May 31.