Story
Our gorgeous little one year old Freddie died suddenly and
unexpectedly on the 10th April in London. He was the happiest and most smiley of little boys; always cuddly, wriggly and very hungry. His mummy Amber, I (Steve) his daddy and all his family loved him deeply and we are all heartbroken to lose him. Our lives will never be the same.
During his short life, he spent more time in hospitals and Doctor's surgeries than anyone of any age should, but he was always happy, resilient and made friends wherever he went. He started suffering prolonged seizures when he was six months old and endured them up until the week before he died - being hospitalised on each occasion. He was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 8 months old but despite this his death was completely unexpected and as yet (May 2017) the cause still unknown. We may know in time or we may not.
We want to do something meaningful to remember Freddie by and that’s why we are asking our families and friends to make donations in his name. We have chosen to support a number of charities that are important to our family. Charities that either directly supported Freddie and us whilst he was alive, that have helped Amber and I since his death or that continue to do important work helping people with conditions like Freddie's epilepsy and researching sudden and unexpected deaths (and their links to epilepsy).
Freddie's seizures were being investigated by the neurology team at the Royal London and the PCCU (Paediatric Critical Care Unit) ward is where we ultimately had to say goodbye to Freddie. We would like to support the work that this hospital does so that other families, should they find themselves in the unfortunate situation that we did, can benefit from the compassion, professionalism and quality of care that Freddie, Amber and I have.
In Freddie's final hours the staff in PCCU helped us with the most incomprehensible and unbearable situation any parent can imagine. They allowed Amber and I the time and dignity to say goodbye to our darling son the way we wanted to; with hours of cuddles and kisses until the final moment.