Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Couple start foundation after tragic death of son
THE heartbroken parents of a Cheltenham teenager who died unexpectedly are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their “fun-loving, always-smiling” son.
Ellen Roome and her ex-husband, Matthew Sweeney, are devastated at the death of their only child, Julian “Jools” Sweeney, which they say came entirely out of the blue, with no warning signs.
Since the 14-year-old Balcarras School pupil died, the couple have set up a foundation, which they want to use to support children who are struggling, offering help to them and their families.
The Pinky Promise Foundation stems from something Ellen and Jools did when promising to tell the truth to each other. Linking their little ‘pinky’ fingers together to seal the promise, no matter what was asked. It allowed them to connect with each other honestly, openly, and safely, and discuss anything, however uncomfortable or difficult.
They haven’t yet worked out exactly what they are going to do with the foundation but say “every single penny will go towards helping children”.
A LinkedIn post about their sudden bereavement on April 13 has had more than four million views, with 8,000 people sending emails and messages of support to the distraught couple.
For those who knew Jools, a funeral service will take place at the Oak Chapel at Cheltenham Crematorium on Monday followed by a wake at Old Pats playing fields in Cheltenham.
“The service will be child friendly, with no stuffy hymns or anything like that, and we encourage. people to wear informal, casual clothes.
“We just want to remember his life in a way that children can deal with, because lots of his friends are struggling with understanding why a happy boy with no warning signs whatsoever took his own life.
“We have had loads of children turn up at the house since it happened just wanting to talk and we have told them, it’s ok to cry and it’s ok to laugh remembering the good times you had with him – you don’t have to feel guilty about that.”
Jools was in Year 10 at Balcarras, just about to sit his mock GCSEs. He always excelled at maths and business studies, as well as being a keen cook.
Out of school, his interests lay in gaming, riding his bike, and, above all, spending time with his many friends on places like Leckhampton Hill.
“He was always smiling, and very affectionate. He always used to say ‘love you mum, love you dad’ at the end of a phone call. He was a caring, loving, hugging child.
“The Pinky Promise Foundation will be his legacy - for a beautiful life lived, that tragically ended way too soon.”
The funeral will take place at 1pm on Monday. Instead of flowers, Ellen and Matt have asked for donations in Jools’