Waterlooville family to walk 30 miles for British Heart Foundation to mark 30 years since baby boy's death
A BABY boy who lived for just one week is being remembered by his family in a 30-mile walk on the 30th anniversary of his death.
Callum Gumbrell was born on November 1, 1990, with an incurable heart condition called hypoplastic left ventricle and passed away a week later on November 8.
Each year, the family marks Callum’s birthday by throwing roses into the sea at Southsea – but wanted to go the extra mile this year and do something to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
Parents Julie, 53, and Jeff, 56, were heartbroken knowing their first son was not going to live for long, but they made the most of the time they had together.
The pair, who live in Waterlooville, said: ‘Knowing that he was going to die we took him home to my parents, our family saw and held him, we took him for a walk, he felt the wind and sun on his face, he saw fireworks, heard nursery rhymes and stories.
‘We took hundreds of photos and made memories and loved him for a lifetime.
‘People often judge a loss of a baby by how long your child lived, but you have imagined a lifetime during your pregnancy and before they are no longer with you and therefore a whole lifetime and future has been taken from you.
‘But Callum was real and he was here, however briefly that was for.’
Growing up, younger siblings Lucy, Katie and Mackenzie always heard stories of Callum from a very young age, so he has always felt like part of the family.
Lucy, from Portsmouth, said: ‘I couldn’t imagine him not being the part of my life that he is. Our family made a conscious effort to keep his memory in our home and our hearts alive.
‘I’m 27 years old. By the time my parents turned 27 they had and lost Callum as well as many other miscarriages.
‘My heart breaks for what they both went through and continue to go through, every single milestone is a painful reminder that he’s not here.’
Over the years, the family has raised more than £15,000 to buy equipment for the neonatal unit at St Mary’s hospital, and for a new cardiac ward at University Hospital Southampton.
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Last year, the siblings presented Julie and Jeff with a card to say they were set to take on the Great South Run to support British Heart Foundation for Callum’s 30th birthday.
When this was cancelled, they chose a 30-mile walk with Julie and some of their cousins.
This will take place on Sunday, taking in Portchester Crematorium where Callum’s name features in the book of remembrance.
Katie, 24, said: ‘I feel really strongly about doing something to mark his 30th birthday. It’s heartbreaking that you can't share all the normal day to day things with your older brother but even more so knowing that it's such a big birthday and we can't go out for a drink or meal or anything to celebrate.’
Younger brother Mackenzie, 18, added: ‘He will be forever loved and remembered and my family and I wish to make this biggest positive we can out of something that caused so much heartbreak.’
So far, the Gumbrells have raised more than £1,600 for the charity. Visit gf.me/u/yw5u7k to donate.