The mother of a child who tragically died at his home in Co Down is organising an event to give back to those who tried to help her son.
Callum Fitzsimons, from Downpatrick, passed away after a medical emergency on Wednesday, April 27, sending heartache across the tight knit community.
A friendly and funny 12-year-old, Callum attended Blackwater Integrated College, where teachers there described him as "a very popular student" who had a great personality.
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His mum Nicola is now holding a fundraising event for the NI Air Ambulance this weekend, which would have marked her beloved son's 13th birthday.
"He was my intelligent, fun-loving 12-year-old boy. He was kindhearted and had a heart of gold," Nicola told Belfast Live.
"Callum was a big animal lover and so caring. He loved VR and his XBOX and was very intelligent. I could go on. He had high functioning Autism and just such a colourful personality.
"In memory of my star child I would like the whole community and further to raise as much money as possible for the Air Ambulance NI as their team was first on the scene urgently that day to give their help.
"They are a charity funded organisation and it costs them in and around £6,000 to do a call out. Everyone is welcome to come along this Sunday and dig deep for this amazing cause - every penny counts towards saving lives.
"A fundraiser will be held in the church car park on Fountain Street this Sunday, May 22, which is also Callum's 13th birthday. We are doing this in Callum's memory."
The event will run from 2pm on Sunday until 6pm, with plenty of activities for families to take part in, including face paiting, food, music, games, a bouncy castle and more.
In a tribute piece to Callum, a teacher at Blackwater IC said he will be remembered with "great fondness".
"It is with great sadness that we pay our respects to Callum Fitzsimons who left us too soon," they said.
"Callum was a very popular student in Year 9 at Blackwater IC and will be remembered with great fondness by all staff and his many friends in the College.
"During his time at Blackwater his personality and sense of humour shone through daily. He loved playing with friends at break and lunch time and always had his friends around him.
"The Blackwater IC community extends our deepest sympathies to Callum’s extended family circle at this very difficult time."
For more information on the fundraiser, or to donate in memory of Callum Fitzsimons, please follow this link.
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