Mum helps raise £2,150 in memory of loved Callum

Mum helps raise £2,150 in memory of loved Callum

16 July 2025

A DOWNPATRICK mum has helped raise over £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation NI in memory of her 12 year-old son.

Nikki Fitzsimons tragically lost her only child Callum to sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) in April 2022.

To celebrate what would have been his 16th birthday, she held a family fun day fundraiser at Dunleath Park playing fields in May.

The event raised £1,588 and Callum’s school, Blackwater Integrated College, also raised £562 through a non-uniform day.

A total of £2,150 was presented to BHF NI to help fund lifesaving research into treatment and cures for heart and circulatory conditions. 

“Callum was a bright, funny and kind wee boy, very popular with his peers and within the community,” Nikki said.

“He had high functioning autism and absolutely loved science and learning all about space and teleportation. I called him my star child.”

Nikki recalled how the night before Callum passed away, the family had climbed Slieve Patrick in Saul.

“At around 10pm he complained of a sore head and lights hurting his eyes. I gave him Calpol as he had a temperature and lay with him for a bit before I went to bed.

“The next morning my sister who lives nearby came over to my house and went straight up to Callum’s room to see him and the next thing I remember is hearing her shouting and wailing, I knew there was something seriously wrong.” 

Nikki raced upstairs and upon realising Callum was unconscious, started CPR and immediately phoned the ambulance.

Once the paramedics arrived, they took over CPR but several minutes later, Nikki was told the devastating news that Callum couldn’t be revived.

“They just said ‘he’s gone’ and that they had tried everything to save his life,” she said.

“I was just in complete shock and devastation, feeling absolutely numb and shaking all over.” 

Nikki is still in grief and trying to come to terms with how Callum passed away so suddenly.

“Three years on and we miss Callum as much as ever and are still looking for answers,” she said.

“The work the BHF is doing in raising awareness of sudden cardiac death in the young is so important.

“This will sadly happen again to other families, but as a family we want to raise money for BHF to fund the research that will save lives,” she added.

Orla Copeland, BHF NI Fundraising Manager, said the charity was “grateful and honoured” to be supported in memory of Callum. 

“Despite all she has been through, Nikki has dedicated herself to keeping Callum’s memory alive through helping others,” she said. “Her determination to raise funds for the BHF’s work has been really inspiring.”

Orla thanked Nikki, her loved ones and Blackwater Integrated College for their generous support.

“It’s only with support like this that we can continue to fund life saving and life changing research,” she added.

For more information on the fundraiser, or to donate in memory of Callum Fitzsimons, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/nikki-fitzsimons-1