Adam Rowbottom
My son Adam was 23 years old when he passed away in his sleep on 7th July 2011, the day my world changed forever. Adam was a fit and seemingly healthy young man, a non-smoker who regularly exercised through cycling and walking. He didn’t take any drugs, but liked a few drinks on weekends; nothing abnormal
Philippa Chowne
Our beautiful, kind, clever, fun-loving daughter died at home on the evening of 14th December 2011. She was fifteen years old, in perfect health and with everything in life to live for. On the day after her death, when we were in deepest shock, we discovered that our darling daughter had trended on Twitter as the
Jordan Burnett
I really need to share Jordan’s story! Jord (as we always call him) was 19 years old. When he turned 18, he chose to buy a one-way ticket to San Francisco, California. Jord wrote me a beautiful note, saying he wanted to find himself in this world – I have that note framed now! He expressed
Michael Land
Our beautiful son Michael passed away on 4th February 2012 at the age of 28 years. Our lives will never be the same again. We are left devastated and heartbroken. We love Michael so dearly. Michael burst into the world on 16th April 1983, a younger brother for Frazer. Michael was a kind, loving, devoted son
Philip Standing
How were we to know that this was the last day of Phil’s life? I had received a text on Wednesday June 27th at 7pm. “Looking forward to seeing you at the weekend, love Phil.” I had been on a ‘Mentors’ course at Southampton General Hospital on the Thursday afternoon, stimulating and interesting. I had bought
Deborah Louise Rendle
My daughter Deborah Louise (Debbie) was the eldest of the family, our other children Michael and Martin, were both devastated at her death. To me Debbie was not only a wonderful mother to her three children, she was also my best friend and confidante. Debbie lived in the same village as me and every day without
Adam Donnelly
Our 17 year old son Adam died suddenly on 30th July 2004. That is the day my life changed forever. We were on holiday in Cyprus with a group of friends – the day had started normally with breakfast and then down to the pool where we sat chatting for a while. My husband Jed, daughter
James Byers
My name is Teresa Byers, I am the mother of four boys, with a broken heart. On 9th February 2000 our world came tumbling down. Our 3rd son James, who was being treated for Wolf Parkinson White, dropped dead in school at the age of 7. The teachers worked non-stop to revive him until the medics
Sarah Anne Bennett
Our beautiful, vivacious daughter Sarah, whom we cherished and adored, was born on 10th October 1987. She was born breach and four weeks early when my waters broke. We took her home a week later and that night had the worst storms in years. Sarah celebrated her 22nd birthday in October. She was a legal secretary
Paul Mulford
BETWEEN THOSE SMILES The look of mischief The smile disguising the next naughty move The unread tale: Books, cuddles…. too boring! You understood: life was for living, exploring. You rushed at life, running first, never walking. Your early philosophy: To cram as much into each day as possible. Always be busy, investigating and — should being
James Johnsen
We had no idea that James would leave us at such an early age. He had gone out Christmas shopping to Newcastle with his brother Leon and planned to meet up with friends in a bar later in the afternoon. When James arrived he ordered a drink but told his brother he was feeling dizzy and
Sarah Jane Johnson
Sarah died at the age of 29 years on the 18th of August 2000, of an undetected heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy. To see her you'd have never thought there'd be anything wrong with her. She was so fit and active and went to keep fit at the gym and also did yoga. She loved life,
Ollie Marsden
Wednesday 22nd October 2008 7.40am – My youngest son Ollie shouts “right, I’m off now”. I am in my bedroom wrapped in a towel, I do not go into the hall to see him, but I shout back “have a happy day” and he leaves for his third day’s teaching practice at a local primary school.
Luke Meekings
It was eighteen months on Christmas Eve 2009 since my son Luke died and I’m still struggling to find words adequate to describe both Luke and the impact of his death. On June 24th 2008 I’d gone straight from work to Luke’s house; he had only just moved in and the house really wasn’t liveable-in and
Ryan Harrison
My beautiful son Ryan was 18 years of age when he decided to go travelling to Canada. Me and my husband and his sister did not want him to go as he had recently packed up working for my husband as an apprentice alarm engineer. But Ryan just wanted to live his dream, which was travelling
Thomas Shackleton
Thomas Shackleton died on the 19th May 2004, aged 21. Thomas was a great musician who played the guitar and could make a tune on any instrument. This was one of his songs (click to listen) that we played at his funeral – and on his gravestone we have a guitar engraved into the marble with
Rachel Haigh and Jason Chew
My daughter Rachel Haigh died in her sleep on the 4th December 2001 aged 14 years, from Viral Myocarditis. Eight years later, we are now mourning the loss of our son Jason Chew who died in his sleep on the 11th March 2009 aged 17 years, from Lymphocytic Myocarditis. I have read that it can be
Neil 'Kymatik' Shuyleman
What can possibly prepare you for the total shock of being told – however gently – that your beloved only son had suddenly and unexpectedly 'passed away'. What! How? When? The thought rushed through my head 'Can I get there to see him before it is too late!'. Then the dawning impact that the strong, happy,