A dad who fell ill with an infection has died suddenly from a mystery illness, leaving behind a devastated family including three children. The death occurred just 12 hours after Charlie Dunkin, 43, was rushed to hospital when he began coughing up blood.
Mr Dunkin had said he was feeling ill in the previous days but thought it would pass. The death has shocked his family who are grieving the loss of a beloved family member who had a 'heart of gold'.
The family have rallied together to focus on providing for his children Mollie, 17, Alfie, 15, and Aimee, 10, after it emerged Mr Dunkin had no will or life insurance. Sister Karen described her brother as a "real salt of the earth character".
As reported by MyLondon, Mr Dunkin's sudden death was a "shock". She said: “It doesn’t seem real. He was taken ill on a Tuesday and was in bed but thought it was a passing illness. He did have diabetes but somewhere in the mix, he’d picked up this infection.
"He was a real tough cookie, the type to get on with it and not complain so he just thought it would pass after he had some rest. Then on Friday, he began throwing up blood, so his partner called an ambulance on the Saturday and he was rushed to hospital.
"His lungs were all clogged up with this infection and there was talk that he might have had a stroke. He was in intensive care and hospital staff said he was one of the worst infections they’d seen and that he was the most critically ill in the whole hospital.”
Despite his family believing that the infection could be “flushed out” of his system, he died in the early hours of the morning at Royal London Hospital, just 12 hours after he’d been admitted. His children, his partner and Karen were at his side, holding his hand as he passed away while his disabled mum was unable to come and be with him.
An investigation has now been launched into his death, with the hopes of explaining how the infection came to have a fatal impact on Mr Dunkin. For his three children, who were the centre of his life, his passing has been made all the more difficult by the death of their grandad earlier this year.
Given that Mr Dunkin had not prepared a will and had no life insurance, Karen and his family have launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help support his three children. “We just want them to be able to lead the life they want to live,” she explains.
“They are now left with not a lot but they do have us as a family and we will support them in whatever. For example, Mollie wants to do her driving test and Alfie is talking about doing a plumbing course.
"Charlie spent all his money providing for his children and making sure they were taken care of. Everyone knows how expensive having teenagers and kids can be.”
In a touching nod to his dad, Mr Dunkin's son will be one of the pallbearers at his funeral. Hoping to have a day celebrating his life and all who knew him, the service will also fall on what would have been his 44th birthday.
Born and raised off Northcote Road in Battersea, Karen described her brother as a “real colourful character”. He was an avid music fan of all genres and a man who loved a good party and to be with his family.
He followed his dad and grandad into the steel industry. He was also known as a young man for being a keen sportsman fond of football and chess, also playing for his local pool club.
Karen said: "He was known for being a true gentlemen and a loyal, hardworking father who would selflessly give to others before himself. " His funeral will have music from Kings of Leon and Fleetwood Mac, before a wake at the Corner Pin in Wimbledon, a place Karen says is “full of memories” for the family.
In a statement on the GoFundMe fundraiser page, Karen wrote: ‘Charlie was a dedicated, loyal and loving father, son, brother and friend to so many. Like many so young, Charlie did not have a will or life insurance, yet worked incredibly hard to always support his children.
'He wanted nothing more than for them to have the best life possible, full of hope, ambition and happiness. As a family, we ask that kind donations go towards a fund for Charlie’s three angels.
'Raising money for Mollie, Alfie, and Aimee will hopefully support them with their future life choices and provide a glimmer of light at the end of a dark and very painful tunnel.’ If you wish to donate, follow the link here.
