Ryan Davies, the Amman Valley’s bravest charity fundraiser, has died at just 32 years of age, his family has confirmed.

Tributes have flooded in since news broke of Ryan’s passing at his home on Saturday.

Ryan was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2006, but rather than sit back and accept his illness, he battled the disease – a year later, he set up the charity Ryan4Leukaemia.

His aim was to raise as much money as possible to help hospitals and leukaemia patients.

In the last 10 years, tens of thousands of pounds have been raised to improve facilities in hospitals and upgrade essential medical equipment, thanks to his efforts and that of his loyal supporters.

The former Ammanford RFC and Betws RFC winger’s strength shone through and as he continued to fight the disease his determination to help others grew.

Ryan’s brother Nathan broke the news on his Facebook page on Sunday morning. He said: “I didn’t think I would ever have to do this but with a broken heart I tell you that my amazing brother passed in my parents’ arms last night.

“He was my best friend and the best big brother I could have ever wished for.

“Ryan meant so much to so many people, the messages I have received have been so heartfelt it makes me the proudest man on earth that I have the honour of calling him my brother.

“Thank you to every person for their support over the years, it just shows how special Ryan was to this world. A life shortened cruelly but a life lived with purpose.”

Ryan’s funeral has been arranged for Saturday, December 3 – the date of his 33rd birthday.

The family have extended an open invitation to a service at All Saint’s Church, Ammanford at 11am, passing Amman Valley Comprehensive, Ryan’s former school. Interment will follow the service at Ammanford town cemetery.

Ryan was a lifelong Liverpool FC fan and to mark this his family have requested women wear something red and men wear a red tie.