A BABY boy who died aged just 13 days old has been described as ‘a real battler’ who ‘fought to the end’.

Doctors battled to save little Billy Davis after he was diagnosed with a heart defect and suffered multiple organ failure.

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Now a memorial balloon release will take place this weekend at Blackburn’s Shadsworth estate near his mum Jade Hudson’s home.

Already a standing ovation has taken place at Turf Moor during Burnley’s match against Cardiff City as dad Gary Davis is a lifelong fan.

Jade, of Tarbert Crescent, has told how she and her fiancé were forced to make the decision to turn off Billy’s life support on Saturday.

The 34-year-old care assistant said: “We are all a bit numb.

“He was a real battler and fought to the end.

“We spent 13 days in various hospitals in Blackburn, Burnley, Manchester and Liverpool and they kept telling us he only had 24 hours to live.

“Then he would rally and fight on for a few more days.

“It was up and down and at one point they through he could have an operation, and then he went down again.

“Doctors tried everything to keep him alive.”

Billy was born weighing 8lb 4oz apparently healthy but rapidly deteriorated.

He was shuttled between hospitals as his vital organs failed before ending his brief fight for life at Liverpool’s Alder Hey specialist children’s hospital.

As the couple and their three children, Adam, 12, Ellis, six and four-year-old Alex come to terms with their loss, they said they were heartened by the response of friends in both towns and supporters of both clubs.

Blackburn Rovers fan Jade said: “We were both with him when he passed after we had to take the terrible decision to turn off his life support machine.

“His brothers are pretty upset too.

“We are so grateful to all our friends and supporters of both football clubs who have put their rivalry aside to support us.

“It’s heartwarming and gratifying, even though we are so sad about Billy.”

On Tuesday night Billy was remembered in the 13th minute, one for every day of his brief life, at Burnley’s home match with 60 seconds of applause.

His face flashed up on the big screen at the request of his dad, 29-year-old Gary.

The former Duke of Lancaster’s regiment soldier turned highway maintenance worker, of Chelburn Grove, Burnley, said: “We are all devastated but have to battle on as our Billy did.

“To be honest, I am relieved. He is no longer in pain.”

After the game Burnley midfielder Joey Barton came to the family and presented them with his number 13 shirt.

On Sunday, a host of balloons will be released in Billy’s memory on fields next to Shadsworth Junior School, attended by Jade.

Ewood park bosses said they were considering how best to pay their respects to Billy.

Gary said: “It was fantastic on Tuesday night. Immaculate.

“All the fans from both sides rose to give a minutes applause for Billy as his name, dates of his short life and ‘Life Long Claret’ were flashed up on the screen.

“Then Joey Barton came over and gave us his shirt.

“The whole family were there.”

The number 13 Clarets shirt given to the family will take pride of place at Billy’s funeral, expected to take place next week.

Jade said: “It was an amazing and moving tribute.

“It was very generous of Joey Barton to give us his shirt in memory of our son.”

Billy was born at Blackburn Birth Centre, before being transferred to the main maternity unit at Burnley where it rapidly became clear all was not well.

He was then moved to St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester before being transferred to Alder Hey.

Friends of the family have also paid tribute to Billy on social media site, Facebook.

Gemma Ure posted: “R.I.P beautiful baby boy xx”

Another friend Caitlin Norcross said: “Shine bright Billy, you gorgeous angel.”

Family friend Kat Hawley has organised the balloon release on Sunday with a minute’s silence at 11.50am and a balloon release at noon.

She said: “For 13 days he was a little fighter but passed away on Saturday.

“He was born really poorly, too poorly for his heart operation, and sadly grew his angel wings.

“There will be a lot of people coming.”