A BRAVE 10-year-old who miraculously defied the odds time and time again after he was born eight weeks prematurely has died with his loved ones by his side.

Warrington Wolves fan Sam Roberts, from Bewsey, was just 2lb 7oz when he arrived into the world one minute after his twin sister Chloe, who weighed 4lb 3oz.

“He was so small he could fit in my hand,” said mum Sarah, who instantly fell in love with her two bundles of joy.

Chloe and Sam were transferred from Ormskirk and District General Hospital to Warrington Hospital after two weeks and spent a further two and three weeks respectively before they were given the green light to go home.

But eight weeks later, tragedy struck when Sam was rushed back into hospital after he contracted meningitis.

“It was my worst nightmare coming true,” said Sarah, 45. 

“I had already lost my first child, Benjamin, at eight days old. I thought don’t do this to my baby. Not again. I’ve already lost one. I didn’t want to lose him.”

But Sam, who loved cuddles and kisses with his twin sister Chloe, refused to be beaten.

The Fox Wood School pupil had a long list of health problems including cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, Crohn’s disease and visual impairment – but he never stopped smiling despite the many obstacles he faced.

Sam, who also had a double hip surgery in 2015 and spent many prolonged trips at Warrington Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, was even able to fulfil his dream to watch his beloved Wolves play at Wembley in 2016. 

“He was a cheeky boy who was always laughing,” said Sarah, who also has an older son called Oliver, 13.

Sam’s carer Marie Taylor added: “Everyone loved him. His laugh was infectious.

“If you had a down day you would just look at him and he would help you to smile again.”

But on April 26, Sam was rushed to A&E at Warrington Hospital where he died two days later at 4.15am surrounded by those who loved him most.

“All the family had time to say their goodbyes,” said Sarah, who didn’t sleep for two days after he was admitted into hospital for the final time.

“In my head I was thinking Sam you could have given me a bit more of a warning but I always knew he would just do it off his own back and he did.

“He decided he had had enough. He was saying ‘it’s my time now’.

“When I went through this with my first one I had an emergency section on the Friday and I didn’t get to see him until the Monday. He waited so I could spend one week with him.

“I know he has been shining down on my other children and I know it was him who came to pick up his brother and said ‘come on – we’ll go and play up there together’.

“Now my two gorgeous kids have each other.”

Family and friends gathered at St Elphin’s Church on Tuesday to say a final farewell to the 10-year-old.

To celebrate his life, mourners were asked to wear primrose and blue to remember the colourful mark he left on the lives of so many people.