On the 1st March 2023 I received a message from reception to say that I had an urgent phone call. When I got to reception I was told a paramedic had been trying to get hold of me. I couldn't imagine why, but I had a sinking feeling. 

I rang her back to be told something I never thought I would hear. One of my learners, Bradley Crisp, had gone to bed and not woken up.

In an instant the life of his parents and two younger sisters had been turned upside down. I could not even imagine how they were coping or what I could do to support them.

A mother myself I just could not begin to comprehend the pain of losing a child. 

As a society we think that Sudden unexpected death happens in babies - cot death, but it can happen at any stage of a life and there needs to be more awareness of this.

SUDC UK was set up by three bereaved mothers in 2016 and aims to fund research to help prevent other children from dying in this way. The mothers of these children felt isolated and frustrated as there are many charities for baby loss but not older children and this charity was also set up to improve awareness, connect families and link them with organisations who are specialists in this type of bereavement.

Bradley was 17 years old, a shining star - a front runner in his exams and had a promising future. He was kind and had such an amazing group of friends.

This is for you Bradley - the brightest star in the sky 

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