Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Mother’s tribute to son, 11, who died in his sleep
THE mother of an 11-year-old boy from Weston-super-Mare who tragically died in his sleep has spoken about her devastating loss.
Kimberley Shepherd went into her son Liam’s bedroom to wake him up for school on March 23 to find he had died in his sleep.
People in the town were devastated at the news and have come together in a remarkable show of support for the Ashcombe Primary School pupil, whose death has shocked everyone.
A GoFundMe page set up to help with Liam’s funeral and raise funds for a charity set up in his name has raised more than £19,000 – the goal was £5,000.
Local people are also putting up gold ribbons and badges around the town in his memory.
Kimberley is also running events to make sure her son will be remembered for the kind, loving boy he was. She said: “Liam was the most caring, loving, sporty, kind, thoughtful, handsome boy I have ever known, he would not hurt a fly.
“He changed my life and he was the reason I woke up every day.
“He wanted to be a policeman and loved helping others, I am and always will be proud of him.
“He is the love of my life, my soul mate, there was just the two of us since he was born and I raised him alone, I have nothing else to look forward to and I do not know how I will face the big milestones without him.
“He had so many friends and family who love and care for him, he was so popular and this all seems so unfair to an 11-year-old boy.
“The response has been overwhelming and humbling, however it does not bring him back.
“Life moves on for everyone but for me it never will, the pain is unbearable to lose the closest thing to me. Liam just passed away in his sleep and the reason is still unknown, I found him like that after waking him up for school.”
In the past year Liam ran a marathon in a week for NSPCC, he donated food out of his own money for vulnerable people, he made cakes for the NHS, police and his teachers, and he was holding a raffle to raise
Liam was the most caring, loving, sporty, kind, thoughtful, handsome boy I have ever known, he would not hurt a fly KIMBERLEY SHEPHERD
money for Winston’s Wish just before he passed away so tragically and suddenly.
After Liam died, tributes poured in on Facebook after Kimberley posted about the tragedy.
The response has been overwhelming after she took part in a Facebook group called Westonsuper-Rocks
where you can hide rocks around the town in someone’s memory. There are lots of other events being organised in Weston to remember the boy who captured everyone’s heart.
Weston-super-Mare Rugby Club is naming a stadium after him and football clubs far and wide are
donating signed shirts to raise money in Liam’s memory for children who cannot afford academy football.
Bristol City, Exeter, Bristol Rovers, Derby County, Norwich City, Rotherham United, Mansfield Town, Watford, Tranmere Rovers and Port Vale football club are supporting and organisers would like as many clubs as possible to get involved.
Beverley said: “I want his face and name everywhere, forever.”
The GoFundMe page for Liam is at