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Teen's ashes driven by Ferrari in supercar tribute

BBC Supercars drive down a crowd-lined roadBBC
Osian Jones' ashes were driven by Ferrari in a memorial drive

The final wish of a teenager came true as his ashes were driven in a Ferrari as part of a supercar tribute to his life.

Osian Jones died aged 17 on 19 June, a year after having heart transplant surgery on 30 June 2023, at Harefield Hospital, London.

Lamborghinis, Porsches, Jaguars and McLarens were among 120 cars which paraded through Barry, Penarth and Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, on Saturday.

Osian, from Barry, suffered three heart attacks aged 15, after developing MISC-C, (Multisystem Inflammatory syndrome in children associated with Covid) in February last year.

After the memorial family friend Claire Croft said: "For us to come and see that and give him that tribute is just incredible, and it will carry us forward.

"We can remember it as a tribute to him, an honour to him and for us to think about the fact that we gave him the best send off we could."

His cousin, Luca, said: "People could see what he went through and he was so selfless about it, never made it once all about himself and all the cars coming up just shows how many people are touched by his story."

He said the memorial was "amazing".

"The boy was so happy and he lived his life with a purpose in making sure other people were happy," he said.

"For everyone to be here today is incredible.

"He was a beautiful boy and he had a beautiful meaning and all the support is gorgeous and we can all appreciate it so much."

When Osian first fell ill he was unaware he had Covid and was taken to A&E.

A yellow McLaren is followed by other fast cars down a road
Lamborghinis, Porsches, Jaguars and McLarens were among 120 cars on show

He went on to have three heart attacks, and was taken from the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff to intensive care at Bristol Children's Hospital.

There his family were told he had MISC-C and his heart was scarred.

On being discharged in October 2023, Osian enjoyed Christmas with family and friends.

At a January check-up they were told something was wrong.

FAMILY PHOTO Osian Jones sits on some grass smiling at his friendsFAMILY PHOTO
His parents called Osian "the light of our lives"

In the summer his body rejected the transplant.

The morning he died Osian was to be moved to Harefield Hospital but he never made it.

Osian's friends and family are now starting a not-for-profit business using artwork Osian created during his treatment, to raise cash for the hospitals that looked after him.