AIDY Cartlidge, the dad of Callum who died on March 3 after being transferred to Worcestershire Royal, has broken his silence on the tragic loss of his son.
Speaking at last Saturday’s March for Callum in Redditch town centre, he admitted: “We as a family simply have not come to terms with the loss of Callum. To me he hasn’t gone, he’s just sleeping and hasn’t woken up.”
Aidy accompanied Callum in the ambulance when his son fell desperately ill and was taken to Worcester.
“It was terrible; I live about a mile from the Alex, I could have run it with him in my arms in no time but we had to drive past the Alex to go to Worcester.
“I remember the paramedics, every time I looked at them they were asking me questions about Callum. It’s just heartbreaking. I kept thinking he’s going to wake up in a moment.”
The ambulance covered the 19 miles between Worcestershire Royal and the family’s Matchborough home in just 23 minutes, blue lights flashing and sirens wailing as it raced down the M5.
Aidy praised the people of Redditch for coming out to support the family and to remember Callum. “The turnout has been great – thank you to everyone who came,” he said.
Hundreds took to the streets for the March for Callum. Mums, dads, children, grandmas and grandfathers, gathered together to remember a little boy who tragically lost his life and to highlight the cuts made to health services in Redditch.
Some 200 people gathered at Trinity High School before setting off on their silent march to Church Green. Along the way they were joined by many more, swelling the numbers to more than 300.
A discreet police presence ensured roads were closed as the procession stepped out led by Callum’s family, his mum and dad Stacey and Aidy, his twin Aidan, sister Makayla and little brother Laighton.
Callum was a devoted Chelsea fan and they all wore the blue of the Premier League topping team in his honour.
On Church Green the bandstand had been transformed into an area of peace and reflection. It featured a giant heart made by pupils from Matchborough First School, Callum’s school, and the bandstand was decorated with the hearts carrying the thoughts and feelings of his friends.
Neal Stote, former chairman of the now disbanded Save the Alex campaign and now a leading figure in OurNHS Worcestershire, had pulled the entire march together.
Speaking on the lack of local health provision for children, he said: “Look at this place – this town is full of children, this march was full of children, and yet our children have to go 19 miles away to go to hospital and the people here want to know why.”
