LOVE YOU MUM, I promise I won't die'

A decade on from when we last spoke to Fiona Spargo-Mabbs about losing her son, she shares how she's honouring his legacy

- MICHELLE ROWLEY

Funny, bright, curious and kind, my son Dan, 16, was excelling in sixth form. He performed in school productions, was voted Prom King and runner-up as Most Likely to Become Prime Minister. Outside of school, he was seeing his friends and girlfriend, learning the guitar, reading widely, attending church and helping older people in the community with gardening and errands.

He came home from school one Friday in January 2014 and asked to go to a party that evening. After the usual discussion about where he was going and with who and how to stay safe, my husband Tim and I allowed him to go. The party was finishing very late, but we finally settled on 3am as his time to be home. We'd discussed the dangers of drugs many times, so I felt sure he'd be careful. 'I love you, Mum, I promise I won't die,' he said jokingly as he hugged me goodbye.

Worst nightmare