Brixton 13-year-old is youngest in Britain to die of Coronavirus

Almost£56,500 has been raised for funeral expenses for a 13-year-old boy who died on Monday after testing positive for coronavirus.

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, from Brixton, had no apparent underlying health conditions and is thought to be the youngest person in the UK to die with the Covid-19.

A GoFundMe page set up for funeral costs and for his family is past the £56,000 mark – far exceeding the £4,000 target.

Ismail tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, a day after he was admitted to King’s College Hospital, his family said.

Family friend Mark Stephenson – a director of Arabic and Islamic studies at Madinah College, Tunstall Road, Brixton, where Ismail’s sister teaches – said the boy’s mother and six siblings are “beyond devastated” by his death. The family also lost his father to cancer recently.

“Ismail started showing symptoms and had difficulties breathing and was admitted to King’s College Hospital,” the family said.

“He was put on a ventilator and then put into an induced coma but sadly died yesterday morning. To our knowledge he had no underlying health conditions. We are beyond devastated.

“Sadly he died without any family members close by due to the highly infectious nature of Covid-19.

“We at Madinah College would like to appeal to our brothers and sisters to donate generously to help raise £4000 for the funeral costs and to support the family, who sadly also lost their father to cancer.”

An update this morning on the GoFundMe page set up by Mr Stephenson, also known as Abdul-Wahid Stephenson, said: “Any extra money raised will go directly to the family. The family is overwhelmed and grateful to all the donors and prayers, may Allah bless you and reward you all.”

Vauxhall MP Florence Eshalomi said: “This is a heart-breaking case and my deepest thoughts are with Ismail’s family at this terrible time.

“I spoke to Ismail’s family this morning to offer my condolences, and I will be helping them with whatever support they need at this difficult time.

“The family have asked for privacy while they try and come to terms with Ismail’s death, and I very much hope their wish will be respected.

“Ismail was a bright and ambitious boy who had the whole of his future ahead of him. This disease does not discriminate. And this personal tragedy shows the very real and devastating impact this virus is having on our society. We must follow the advice to stay at home and save lives.

“I’d also like to thank to the NHS staff at Kings for the heroic work they are doing during this crisis.”

To contribute to the family fund, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/janazah-expenses-for-ismail