Albie Speakman passed away far too soon.
His three-year-long life was one filled with ‘love, affection, and care’, according to his mum , Leah, paying tribute to her son earlier this week.
Tonight, she was joined by friends and family, who gathered in Coronation Gardens in Radcliffe to remember the ‘sunshine boy ’. In an emotional evening, mourners laid candles under a gazebo by a picturesque pond, and released balloons to mark Albie’s passing.
In fact, such was the stillness of the occasion, only three things could be heard: The smattering of rain on umbrellas, quiet sobbing from grieving loved ones, and children playing nearby. In truth, it was hard not to draw the conclusion that Albie should have been with those children — shouting, screaming, and smiling.
But he was not, and that is travesty of his death. A life of sunshine gone dark far too soon.
In her tribute, Leah said that her son led a happy life. She continued: “Albie was an incredibly loving, affectionate and caring boy who just wanted everyone to be happy. He was so sensitive and wanted everyone to be okay, especially the people that he loved.
"He loved to play - whether it be with his family or friends at nursery - he would always look for little round things wherever he went, stones, polystyrene balls, bouncy balls, beads - I’m not sure why but he just loved anything round, he would just hold onto them.
“His favourite memories are at Cleethorpes beach, with his bucket and spade and his ball. His happiest days were on that beach, we were so free and didn’t have any cares in the world. It was just me and Albie and nothing else mattered. Whenever I’d ask him what he wanted to do, he’d want to go on holiday to the beach again; that’s how I know he was truly happy there.
“I always call him my little sunshine boy because he has brought so much light into my life and he is my little ray of sunshine, and I don’t want his life to end here, I need to carry on living for him and take him with me wherever I go. We still have so many more memories to make, Albie!
“I love him so much and I know he will find his way back to me someday, somehow, because we need each other. Until then I will look for him in everything I do and I will celebrate his life. I’m not sure how to carry on this life without you but I will find a way to be strong for you and make you proud.”
Albie Speakman was remembered in his hometown tonight. He always will be by those who mattered most to him.
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