A little boy caught coronavirus earlier this year and could not seem to get rid of his nasty cough - just seven months on, he’s facing an horrific fate.
His family are now pleading for help to give seven-year-old Callum Neil an early Christmas, as his doctors say this is his last chance. He will likely not make it to December 25.
Callum was diagnosed with parainfluenza virus, an infection which has ravaged his lungs. Although he has defied doctors’ expectations with his determination to live, the youngster is now on end-of-life care.
Callum caught Covid-19 in April of this year. Although he only reacted mildly to the virus, within a couple of weeks he developed a cough which steadily worsened.
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Callum’s mother shared the terrifying moment she realised her son needed urgent help. “We went backwards and forwards to the doctors over the next couple of weeks and Callum was given antibiotics but it didn't help,” explains mum, Selina.
“Meanwhile, he was coughing more and getting more and more breathless. Then one morning his lips literally went blue. It was terrifying.
“I could see he wasn't getting enough oxygen and so he was rushed to hospital.”
Selina has kept vigil by her son’s side ever since he was admitted to hospital eight months ago after being diagnosed with the brutal virus. The devastated mum says doctors have suggested her son may not even make it to Christmas.
In the meantime, she has been living at Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation for the families of children receiving treatment at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
“Things are looking so bleak – even though my little boy is a fighter and has already defied the doctors’ odds,” continued Selina, 42. “But I have to be realistic and yet at the same time we want to plan so that we give him the best Christmas we possibly can. However early that might have to be.”
This family is no stranger to tragedy - Callum was born at 24 weeks weighing just 1lb 7oz after a water infection triggered his premature birth. The premature birth has left him with autism.
Selina had been carrying twins but Callum’s brother, Kai, who weighed 1lb 9oz, did not survive.
Still struggling with the loss of their other son, Selina and husband Stephen, 39, were finally able to welcome Callum home after eight months in Saint Mary’s Hospital in Manchester.
Family life returned to some sense of normality, and the couple also went on to have two more children, Maddie 6 and Brody, 3, joining Selina’s two older children Mason, 17 and Charlie, 14.
Before being struck down by illness, Callum was living his life to the full. He loved being outdoors, enjoyed messy play and singing, and was keen to get to his community special school in Didsbury each day.
Callum’s parents had also planned to get married this November after spending eight years together, but plans had to be radically changed after Callum’s decline. The couple cancelled their plans and instead had a small registry office ceremony on November 12 followed by a blessing at Callum’s bedside, made special by moving efforts from hospital staff.
“It’s impossible to describe what has happened to him,” says Selina. “My son has gone from a joyful little boy to being desperately ill. My heart is broken, and I sometimes can't believe this is happening.”
Callum's family, who live in West Gorton, are determined for Callum to be part of their lives as much as they can.
“We literally decided to have a quick ceremony at the register office and then get back to Callum. But the hospital staff and fellow mums at Ronald McDonald House were incredible and wouldn't hear of it,” said Selina.
“They decorated the room with balloons and ribbons. They did a red carpet with candles outside Ronald McDonald house and my original bridesmaids still insisted on dressing up.
“We then received a blessing from the priest there and when he said that Stephen could kiss the bride, Callum let out a massive cheer. It was so special, like it was meant to be.”
Now, they are planning an early family Christmas at the hospital. Callum is fed intravenously and will not be able to take part in a festive dinner, but will be able to open presents.
But in strained financial circumstances, they are fundraising to give their ‘courageous little boy’ a Christmas to remember.
“We want to make Callum’s hospital room a home and let our other four children – who have to endure so much, not least with me being away, have a proper Christmas,” Selina said.
“Being by Callum’s side is already having a financial impact on our family. We need to eat and drink while we are here and it's not always as easy as finding the time or energy to cook a meal.
“Callum hasn't been able to do much in his little life. So we want to bring life to his hospital bedside. Unfortunately, the doctors aren't confident Callum will make it to spend another Christmas with us. He is the bravest little boy I have ever known, and we are all so so proud of him and his fight. We are so grateful to anyone who can help us if they can.”
Among those raising money for the family is pub landlady Lindsay Smethills. She’s grown used to hearing all sorts of stories from punters across the bar of her Swinton pub, the White Swan.
When she heard from a regular the ‘unbearable’ story of a little boy facing what could be his last Christmas, Lindsay knew she had to act. The White Swan will be hosting an all-day fundraiser on Sunday, November 27.
The cash raised will go toward helping the seven-year-old and his family have the best possible, and most likely early Christmas they can as the little boy fights end stage lung disease.
“My customers tell me a lot of things about their lives but when I heard about Callum from his uncle, Lee Fern, who was having a drink at the pub I knew immediately we had to do something so at the pub we sprang into action,” says Lindsay, herself a mother of four.
“As a pub we are at the heart of the community, and this is how we all come together to help. Frankly everyone has been wonderful. Just donating money or goods to be raffled. Asking what they can do. Everyone is getting behind this appeal for Callum and his family.”
Landlady Lindsey added: “This is one of the most heart-rending stories I've ever heard in all my years of running the pub and I just want to thank everyone in our community who has come together to give Callum the best Christmas we can. Hopefully, we’ll raise lots of money on Sunday to give this family some comfort at this awful time for them.”
The pub will have music, food and raffle prizes at the fundraiser. The family also has a JustGiving page , which has already raised more than £3,000.
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