Five-year-old Patrick Coombes, pictured, succumbed to the cancer on Saturday night surrounded by family.

Locals said little Patrick had a smile that touched everyone and it was clear he was a favourite with many, as hundreds of people rallied behind him at various fundraisers over recent months in Manilla and Tamworth.

The Manilla Preschool student bravely fought the illness after he was first diagnosed in July.

Patrick underwent months of treatment, including intense radiation at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.

The illness meant long stints away from their Manilla home for the family, but it only spurred on the local communities, who dug deep to help them.