Claire St John
Callum's Star Tribute Fund
Fundraising for Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal
Story
I know I'm biased, but as a mummy I'm allowed to be.....our lovely boy Callum was, and still is, quite simply FANTASTIC, THE BEST and most PERFECT little boy in the world! He lit up a room as soon as he walked, or should I say, ran in. Our little boy with such an infectious smile and laugh and the most wonderful and affectionate hugs and kisses you could ever have, was just perfect in every way. Callum was so inquisitive and absolutely bounding with energy. To know Callum was to love Callum. He loved life and he absolutely loved his family to bits. And Callum, we loves you BIG TIME don't we....to the moon and back! "You loves your boy don't you!"
On 14th May 2014 our world fell apart. Our precious, gorgeous little boy was suddenly taken very ill. Callum suffered a cardiac arrest at home, his mummy trying desperately to help him by giving him CPR. He was taken to Derriford Hospital and then transferred to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. Four days later on Sunday 18th May, Callum passed away in our arms. Callum was just four years old.
Whilst Callum was being looked after, doctors discovered that he had a large, aggressive and rapidly growing lymphoma covering part of his chest (lymphoblastic lymphoma , a form of Non-Hodgkins). Callum had shown no symptoms of something so severe. He had just had a cough and had been diagnosed only the day before with a chest infection. He hadn't been sick, lethargic, losing weight, off his food or complaining of any pain. He was running around playing just as he always did.
Callum's tumour was so aggressive it blocked his airway and caused the cardiac arrest. In turn, it caused a lack of oxygen to his little brain, causing catastrophic brain injury.
There was nothing we, or the doctors could have done to save Callum. Life for us as his parents and his sister Emily will never be the same again. We are truly devastated and heartbroken. We miss Callum so so much; every minute of every day and miss the fantastic, gorgeous, perfect little boy he was. His smile and affection lit up our lives and everyone he met.
In Callum's memory we have decided to try and do something positive and raise money for The Grand Appeal, supporting Bristol Royal Children's Hospital who tried so hard to help him. The work that they do is fantastic and they need as much money as possible to treat the children that so desperately need their help and provide accommodation for their families.
If you can donate anything at all in Callum's memory, you will be helping a little boy or girl and their family to receive the help they need.
Thank you so much.