Heartbroken mother tells of ‘unbearable pain’ after discovering her only son, 11, dead in bed when she tried to wake him up to go to school
- Kimberley Shepherd found son Liam, 11, dead in bed when she tried to wake him
- Discovered son passed away in his sleep when she went to wake him for school
- Described him as an ‘exceptional boy’ who was always wanting to help others
A heartbroken mother has spoken about her ‘unbearable pain’ after discovering her only son, 11, dead in bed when she tried to wake him up to go to school.
Kimberley Shepherd went into her son Liam’s bedroom to wake him up for school on the morning of Tuesday, March 23 to find he had passed away in his sleep.
Liam’s mother says he was an exceptional boy, always wanting to help others at such a young age.
Speaking about her son, 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 everyday. He wanted to be a policeman and loved helping others, I am and always will be proud of him.
Kimberley Shepherd went into her 11-year-old son Liam’s (pictured together) bedroom to wake him up for school on the morning of Tuesday, March 23 to find he had passed away in his sleep.
‘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 go, 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 he ran a marathon in a week for NSPCC, donated food out of his own money for vulnerable people, made cakes for the NHS, police and his teachers and held a raffle to raise money for Winstons Wish just before he passed away.
Liam’s mother says he was an exceptional boy, always wanting to help others at such a young age. Pictured: 11-year-old Liam
After Liam died tributes poured in on Facebook after Kimberley posted about the tragedy.
People in Weston-Super-Mare were devastated at this news and have come together in a show of support for the primary school pupil.
Several events have been organised in Weston-Super-Mare to remember the boy who captured everyone’s heart.
Weston-super-Mare RFC are 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.
Kimberley said: ‘I want his face and name everywhere, forever.’
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.