Fundraising drive in memory of little Lucas
A FUNDRAISING campaign has been set by parents grieving after their six-month-old boy died of suspected cot death.
Lucas Wheatcroft, the son of Jane and Luke Wheatcroft, passed away suddenly on March 23 this year at their family home on Moor Street in Clayton-le-Moors.
The tot left older siblings Jack, seven, Ella-May, six, Ruby, five, and Summer, aged 18 months.
The family has now organised a fundraising event this weekend at The Old England Forever pub in Clayton-le-Moors to help them raise funds to buy a headstone in Lucas’ memory.
Jane, 26, who has been married to removal worker Luke for eight years, said they still do not know what caused their son’s death but believe it was cot death.
Jane said: “It was an unbelievable shock. It’s still really raw as it only happened about eight weeks ago. It’s just devastating and horrific.
“He’s got four older siblings that we have tried to care of and it’s been very hard for them too.
“They are all young as well. It’s been devastating for the whole family.
“Because it was an unexpected death we have had all these tissue tests done but they have all come back clear.
“They are looking at the cause of death now so they can put that on the death certificate. I think it’s just cot death, to be honest. He was in bed at the time. He fell asleep and didn’t wake up. We haven’t got any answers.”
Jane, who is a housewife, has praised the support of her friends and family for helping her and Luke through their ordeal.
She said: “We have had a lot of support and a brilliant network of people.
“We are quite popular people in Clayton and have lived here for a while and everybody knows us.
“When this happened everyone rallied together and helped us. I don’t know how we would’ve got through it without the people in Clayton to be honest. They picked us up when we needed everyone the most. Everyone has been amazing.”
The fundraising event will take place on Saturday, June 11 from 2pm and will include children’s Zumba, face painting, a bouncy castle, various stalls, DJ and a visit from popular characters Spiderman and Marshall the Dog.
Jane said: “Headstones cost a lot of money. He has been cremated but we just want somewhere we can go and be on our own and talk to him.”