A GRIEF TO LAST FOREVER

After Shane Game, 60, lost two of her sons, she channelled her heartache into helping others who had been bereaved

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Being a mum to my four sons is what I am most proud of in life. When Ben was born in April 1983, I never dreamt I'd be lucky enough to have three more boys, though, as my first experience of motherhood and Ben’s start to life wasn’t easy.

At eight weeks old, he was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and he had his first major surgery just weeks later. It was heart-wrenching watching my tiny baby being wheeled into the operating theatre time and time again. Yet, despite what he was going through, Ben hit all his milestones and was the most wonderful big brother to Toby, Zach and Ollie.

I adored watching them all together, they loved cars and racing. I loved the contented chaos of our busy household of boys. They were fiercely protective of me, too, and we looked after each other. The boys always rallied around Ben when he needed more treatment for his heart problems.

As a teen, Ben did well in school, and even managed to play tennis. But in 2007, when he was 23, his health declined.

‘Ben needs a heart transplant,’ the doctor told us gravely. We were lucky enough to get a call in the March to tell us they'd found a donor for Ben. We were elated but we knew the transplant had its risks. I'd become accustomed to watching Ben being wheeled into surgeries, but this time felt monumental. ‘Come back to me,’ I whispered to him.