Stephen only lived for 19 years. But he achieved more than many of us ever will.

The British teenager who inspired millions and raised over $5 million dollars for charity has died.

Stephen Sutton died peacefully in his sleep.

The teenager who was diagnosed with bowel cancer four years ago has been an inspiration to thousands around the world who have followed his journey and admired his amazing positive spirit.

His mother wrote on his Facebook page:

“My heart is bursting with pride but breaking with pain for my courageous, selfless, inspirational son who passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday 14th May,”

The ongoing support and outpouring of love for Stephen will help greatly at this difficult time, in the same way as it helped Stephen throughout his journey.

We all know he will never be forgotten, his spirit will live on, in all that he achieved and shared with so many. Love, His mum x”

Tributes have poured in from around the world, including British PM David Cameron.

“He was determined not to waste a minute, not to waste an hour or a day,” David Cameron said to reporters.

The inspirational teen originally set out to 10,000 pounds ($A17,900) after being told his bowel cancer was terminal in 2012.

He worked tirelessly to raise awareness of bowel cancer.

It was only in April that he posted the farewell selfie that went around the world.

“It’s a final thumbs up from me,” he wrote. “I’ve done well to blag things as well as I have up till now, but unfortunately I think this is just one hurdle too far.”

His good-bye went viral and donations to his charity page hit over 3 million pounds.

The teen’s amazing spirit, determination and cheerfulness in the face of death captured the hearts of the world.

But he overcame the odds and in May he announced a “miraculous recovery” coughing up a tumour and after a successful surgery was well enough to be discharged from hospital on 2 May.

Just days later, he was readmitted to hospital with breathing difficulties.

His mother said about him in the video “Stephen’s story” , “One of the thing Stephen always stresses is that I might have cancer but cancer does not have me.”

During his fierce battle with the disease, Stephen made up a bucket list of weird and wonderful things he wanted to do.

This included crowd surfing in a rubber boat at a gig (he did), getting Tim Minchin to write a song for him (he did), getting a tattoo (yes he did), skydiving (again yes) and:

“Raise £10,000 for teenage cancer trust- NEW TARGET.. £1,000,000 – DONE”

Well he sure outdid that one.

It was last Tuesday when Stephen started again to get incredibly ill.

In a statement on the fundraiser’s Facebook page, the family wrote:

“Unfortunately in the last 24 hours, Stephen’s condition has deteriorated to where he can no longer communicate through this page himself.

Unfortunately, the breathlessness which had him re-admitted to hospital is due to the regrowth of tumours which are blocking his airways, and not just due to infection as we had all been hoping.

He is currently comfortable and stable, and we will let you know of any further developments.

Right now, however, as a family, we wish for a certain amount of privacy for us to spend what time he has remaining with him.

We appreciate everyone’s concern and for all the love and goodwill sent his way, and indeed ours too, we thank you deeply x.”

His donation page is continuing to be flooded since the news of his death broke.

British comedian Jason Manford, who championed Stephen’s charity efforts, paid the ultimate tribute to the teenager.

He said that Stephen “was the most inspiring person I’ve ever met and touched more lives than he will ever know”.

“He was an incredibly positive young man and a credit to his family, to Burntwood and to humanity itself.”

“The reason we took to him so passionately was because he was better than us, he did something that none of us could even imagine doing.”

“In his darkest hour, he selflessly dedicated his final moments to raising millions of pounds for teenagers with cancer.”

RIP Stephen Sutton.

You can donate to Stephen’s fundraiser here.