Raising awareness of sudden death in memory of Callum

Raising awareness of sudden death in memory of Callum

28 May 2025

A FAMILY fun day in memory of a much loved Downpatrick boy was held on Saturday.

Callum Fitzsimons was just 12 years old when he died from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) in April 2022.

To celebrate what would have been his 16th birthday and to raise funds for British Heart Foundation NI, family and friends gathered for an afternoon of fun and games at Dunleath Park.

The event was organised by Callum’s mum, Nicola.

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

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

She continued: “The night before he passed away we had a family walk up Saul Mountain.

“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. The next thing I remember is hearing her shouting and wailing, I knew there was something seriously wrong.”

Nicola 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, Nicola was told the devastating news that Callum couldn’t be revived.

She recalled: “They just said ‘he’s gone’ and that they had tried everything to save his life.

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

Nicola is still in grief and trying to come to terms with how Callum could have passed away so suddenly. She is also expecting her second child in late summer.

 “I’m 28 weeks pregnant and I believe that Callum is sending us his little sister,” she said.

“We’re so excited, she’s due in August and we’re going to call her Chance, as it feels like we’re being given a second chance to be a family again.”

Nicola added: “Three years on and we miss Callum as much as ever and are still looking for answers. 

“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.”

 To donate in memory of Callum, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/nikki-fitzsimons-1