THE REDDITCH community have rallied round to raise almost £7,000 to support the heartbroken family of Callum Cartlidge.
Callum’s family lived just three minutes from the Alexandra Hospital but the ambulance crew, following a protocol in place since September to not take seriously ill children to the Alex, instead went to Worcestershire Royal – 19 miles away.
Despite racing there under blue lights and sirens in just 23 minutes, the youngster tragically suffered a cardiac arrest and died at the hospital on March 3, leaving his family devastated.
A fund-raising page was set up by Callum’s aunt, Anita Walsh, to pay for a headstone and a memorial garden and in less than two weeks it has more than doubled its £3,000 target, with more than £6,600 being donated so far.
On the page, Anita, who lives in Lodge Park, said: “My family and myself would like to thank everyone for your kind words and amazing donations.
“You have all made it possible for Callum to have the best farewell he can have. We have more than enough for five family cars, black horses with white carriage, catering at wake, a headstone of mom and dad’s choice and a memorial bench outside Callum’s house. We really cannot thank you enough.
“After we have laid our boy to rest let the campaigns, petitions and protests begin.”
An inquest into Callum’s death was opened on Tuesday (March 14) with a full inquest scheduled for June 28.
A spokesperson for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “As with any sudden unexpected death in childhood there will be a referral to the coroner, a post mortem and a full external SUDIC (Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants and Children) investigation as well as our own internal processes for an SI investigation.
“Until our investigations have been completed we cannot comment further.”
To support to campaign, visit https://www.gofundme.com/tpvm24-callums-resting-place
