'We were with Freddie at the end and for that, we will be forever grateful to Rainbows'

FAMILY OF 12-YEAR-OLD NOW BACKING FUNDRAISING WORK FOR VITAL HOSPICE

- By TELEGRAPH REPORTER

NO parent ever imagines they will have to say goodbye to their child, let alone plan their funeral with them.

For Derbyshire parents Greg and Karen, that unthinkable moment became reality when their son Freddie was diagnosed with brain cancer just before his 10th birthday in 2022.

"We knew he was dying, he knew he was dying," said Greg.

"He had terminal cancer and we talked quite a lot with Freddie about what he wanted for end-of-life.

"In those last months of his life, everything was geared around keeping him at home and choosing the right path."

Like other 12-year-olds, Freddie loved going to school and being with his friends. Unlike most other 12-year-olds, he was also planning intricate details of his funeral.

Before he died, when faced with the unthinkable that no child and their family should have to face, Freddie detailed exactly what his choices were.

Although a difficult and painful process, this allowed him to have some control of his death and gave comfort to his parents as they could follow his wishes completely.

Freddie's choice was simple: he wanted to die at home with those he loved the most, his parents, his sister, Bessie, and cat, Nutmeg. He wanted to stay at home after death, so he was never left alone.