Jak Trueman was diagnosed with terminal T-cell lymphoma in August, and last week, just before he died, he fulfilled his final wish: to take his girlfriend to the school prom.
West Calder High School – in his home town, West Lothian in Scotland – organised the prom at the last minute after doctors told him he was dying the week before.
He attended his prom with his 14-year-old long-term girlfriend, Hannah Boyd.
Boyd and other tearful classmates were thrilled by the event for Trueman, and tweeted messages of support throughout the prom:
thank you SO MUCH to everyone to making this prom happen and for all your unconditional support💖 U guys are incredible!!💗x
#teamjak Amazing work!
Jaks prom looked amazing and hannah looked beautiful hope everyone had an amazing time! 👫👗 #teamjak
Filming something for Jak Trueman and his family, heartbreaking what they're going through but what a truly inspirational young man #teamjak
So proud of this guy, even more proud to call him a friend! Your an inspiration Jak💛💛 #TeamJak
Can't thank the amazing teachers that we have at WCHS for organising tonight! We have the BEST set of teaching staff ever! #teamjak 🎉🎉🎉
Trueman could only stay for a short time at the prom as he started to feel unwell, but he was delighted by the event.
He wrote this message later that evening:
I would just like to make a massive apology for me only turning up and then having to go again :( I was gutted and really sad as I never spoke to anyone, but I took really unwell really quickly as I had been lying in bed for 3 days without hardly moving. Thank you to everyone who organised it and came along, even just knowing it was all happening for me makes me smile.
In a Facebook post, his mother, Alison Trueman, said his death had left her and her family "devastated and heartbroken".
She said:
The prom was about my boy and Hannah. He managed to make the evening for 10 minutes through wonderful courage and determination. Jak and Hannah are exceptionally close and I think it is absolutely magical that the school brought the prom forward, what they have done this for both of them.
His classmates have been tweeting their heartfelt condolences using the hashtag “#TeamJak”.
R.I.P. Jak Trueman. Family and friends are in our thoughts, strength to you all. #teamjak @jaksjourney
Devastated 💛💙 #teamjak #TheresOnlyOneJakTrueman
Proud to have been part of the journey. #teamjak #theresonlyoneJakTrueman #JakTrueman
The football team Trueman supported, Rangers, also shared their condolences.
Everyone at #Rangers Football Club is deeply saddened to hear that Jak Trueman lost his battle with cancer earlier today.
And classmates wore gold ties to school to honour him.
Gold ties at school 💛 #teamjak
Trueman's story has inspired people to raise over £50,000 on his JustGiving page in less than a week for the charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
OMG! Pupils of WCHS generous does not even cover it! #teamjak