Sad farewell to tragic Callum

Those were the heart-wrenching words of Peter Rough and Sarah Thornhill in a poignant poem to their tragic four-year-old son Callum, pictured.

The verse was among the moving tributes at his funeral in St Stephen's Church, Acomb, York, yesterday.

Peter and Sarah, who have a two-year-old son JoJo, turned to the Evening Press this week to condemn "sickening rumours" surrounding his death.

The heartbroken couple told of the whispering campaign in their community accusing them of being in some way responsible for his death.

This was despite police and the coroner's office saying there were no suspicious circumstances.

Callum died after falling ill at the family home in Chapelfields, York, despite paramedics' frantic efforts to revive him. Doctors remained baffled as to what killed.

The Rev David Erridge, vicar of St Stephens Church, told the funeral congregation that Callum was now in the "eternal care of God".

"We're here to remember the short life of Callum," he said.

"Whatever Callum did he did with pleasure and great energy. He loved his dogs and they loved him."

Mr Erridge said Callum had befriended the local motorcycling community as he enjoyed riding on the back of his dad's bike.

He also loved fishing and a "tiddler was like a shark to him".

"Callum also loved to dance - it expressed his enjoyment of life," said Mr Erridge, who played an extract of the youngster's favourite Crazy Frog song.

A message of condolence was also read out by Callum's favourite football team, Liverpool, on behalf of the players and back room staff. It said they valued his support and offered their "sincere condolences" to the family.

Callum attended nursery at Westfield Community Primary School and head teacher Mark Barnett gave a moving tribute at the service. "Nobody knows why this has happened - I find it so sad," he said.

"The whole school is shocked and saddened by the suddenness of it all.

"Callum really shone out at nursery."

Updated: 09:55 Saturday, November 26, 2005