You know I had such good news with my GCSE results not so long ago?
Now I have some very bad news to share. I just cannot believe I didn't stay long enough on results day to see him and say hi. It's just not something that ever crosses your mind.
I was in a form with Alex for three years, and was in many classes with him at school.
He had so much life ahead of him; he did so well at his GCSEs and was going to study languages and English.
It just totally hasn't sunk in.
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk...ing_in_street/
Blackburn teenager, 16, dies after collapsing in street
A TEENAGER has died after collapsing in the street from a heart attack the day after he received outstanding GCSE results.
Alex Raynes, 16, of Brandy House Brow, Blackburn, collapsed on his way to catch a train home from a violin lesson in Clitheroe with brother Tim, 17.
Paramedics took him to the Royal Blackburn Hospital, but the heart attack had starved his brain of oxygen and he never regained consciousness.
Alex died on Monday with his family around him, and made a final gift by donating his kidneys and eyes for transplants across the UK.
Last Thursday he had collected seven A* and three A exam grade.
Alex was born with a congenital heart defect and had undergone dozens of operations since birth.
His father Andrew, vicar at Christ Church, Brandy House Brow, said the family’s faith in God was helping them come to terms with their loss.
Mr Raynes said: “We had always known that Alex’s condition could cut his life short, but it was always put to the backs of our minds because he was so energetic and full of life and he had been doing so well over the past few years. We never imagined he would be taken from us so quickly.
“I’m just grateful that he was able to go out on a high, having just had us all telling him how proud we were of his exam success, and looking forward to a new chapter in his life.”
Alex’s mother Chantal added: “We are realising now that God had a plan for Alex, and because of that faith we don’t talk about him in the past tense.
"We believe he is now in the presence of Jesus Christ.
“We are broken-hearted, but we have been overwhelmed by the support and love we have received from the people of Blackburn and beyond.
“I’m glad he was able to donate his organs. He had already talked to us about it and had carried a donor card for a long time. He knew that one day he might need a heart.”
His brother Tim thanked shoppers in Clitheroe who had stopped to help Alex when he collapsed on Friday. He said: “People ran to help and the paramedics knew exactly what to do. They gave him every chance.
“Alex was always happy and always joking. He was a great brother.”
Mr Raynes said: “One of his friends said to me that he was determined and motivated, but in a very laid-back way, and that’s a good description.
"He knew what he wanted and worked hard for those things despite his condition, but he never let it seem like he was making a big effort.”
“He had a great way with children and had just started leading the youth group at the church.
"The younger ones really appreciated the time he was willing to spend with them.
“I was looking at his Bible study notes yesterday and alongside the question ‘How much do you think God is in control of your life?’, he had written ‘fully’. That’s what Alex believed.”
Alex, a pupil at Feniscowles Primary School, then Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, had been looking forward to beginning his A-levels, and had just been given a special blood monitor to help him manage his condition without constant trips to the hospital.
The keen musician, who played drums in the Christ Church music group as well as piano and violin, was set to further his love of languages with A-level courses in Spanish, French, English and geography.
He had spent much of the summer watching Lancashire Cricket Club with friends, and had eagerly awaited the start of the football season, supporting Derby County.
Friends from school and church have been invited to join the family at Alex’s funeral on Thursday at 2pm at Blackburn Cathedral, and a book of condolence has been opened at QEGS, where he played the lead role in the school’s summer production of BIlly Liar.
Director of development at the school Phil Lloyd said: “Alex was an extremely popular young man and the school community is deeply shocked at the news of his death.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Mrs Raynes said she wanted to thanks everyone for their ’brilliant’ support. She said: “I want to thank the Royal Blackburn Hospital as well, for all the help and support they gave Alex all the way through.”
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Please keep his family in your thoughts.
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