HEARTS have paid tribute to an eight-year-old Jambos-daft schoolboy after he bravely lost his battle against a rare brain tumour.
Young Rudi Abbott, who sadly passed away last weekend, was remembered by the Tynecastle club during their clash with St Mirren tonight.
Young Rudi passed away last week
Fans were urged to join a minute’s applause for the schoolboy in the eighth minute of the match.
His family also requested if everyone could paint their nails in his trademark rainbow colours when visiting Tynecastle.
Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay and Sporting Director Joe Savage showed their support ahead of the match and got their nails painted in various colours before kick-off.
Several fans took to the Eighteen74 Bar inside the stadium to join them as well.
Supporters then joined together in applause on the 8th minute to remember the brave youngster.
A tweet from Hearts during the match read: “8′ | HMFC 0-0 SMFC Tynecastle rises to applaud Rudi Abbot. Forever in our Hearts. ”
Rudi’s dad Ben painstakingly revealed that they put the youngster into his favourite Hearts kit and painted his nails after he passed away.
The eight-year-old was diagnosed with grade four pineoblastoma back in August 2020 after suffering from severe tiredness and numbness.
An MRI then revealed he had a tumour in the centre of his brain.
The family managed to raise £110,000 for his treatment, enough to send him out to Seattle for an experimental medical trial.
But he passed away late last Friday – with tributes pouring in after the family’s announcement on Saturday.
Rudi was hailed by his family as their “truly incredible wee warrior” after they confirmed the tragic news.
Hearts shared their condolences too, writing: “We are so terribly sorry for your loss.”
Taking to social media, his dad Ben wrote: “After Rudi passed away we got him into his well worn favourite Hearts kit, complete with darned holes in the knees of the socks from a knee slide every goal he scored!
(bear in mind 5 & 6 year old’s matches with score lines of 35-21 it’s a LOT of knee slides)
“Mum then painted his nails in his trademark rainbow colours. He’s rocked these confidently, with his sassy style to any and every occasion since he was a titch.
“He has four bracelets on – one from his French Grandpa, his little sister Iris, his big sister Olly and his best pal Mila.
“We’ll probably choose a few more of his favourite fashion items, like a bumbag and a few of his prized precious key rings. he’s always wearing his Vans checkered beanie that mum brought him recently too – so he’s on point.
“We’ll be burying our beloved 8 and 3/4 year old Rudi in all his favourite gear next Thursday in a very intimate family ceremony.
“His big brother Lewis came up with the brilliant idea that all of us paint our nails for the occasion.
“With all this in mind it people want to connect or show solidarity in the build up or on the day of the funeral then we ask that you please give a donation to the ‘@thebraintumourcharity and PAINT YOUR NAILS
*we shouldn’t be burying 8 and 3/4 year olds! Please donate ”
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