A HEARTBROKEN mum has vowed to help save lives in memory of her precious son.
Winsford mum Louise Hallwood was distraught when her 12-year-old son Cason, who had a peanut allergy, died suddenly on Christmas Day from anaphylactic shock.
'There wasn't a day Cason didn't make me laugh or smile'
The 39-year-old is embarking on a gruelling challenge to raise funds for the Anaphylaxis Campaign, the only UK wide charity supporting the growing numbers of people at risk from severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
The mum-of-four plans to do 100 squats a day with a 20kg on her shoulders - throughout May - with best friend and mum-of-three Vicky Whalley, 42.
Louise plans to do 100 squats a day - at Funk Fitness gym during the week and at home at weekends
Louise said: "He was my youngest of four boys and as we are a very close family we're all lost without our little legend.
"I feel I need to do something in his honour and try and help and raise awareness of this silent killer."
Cason died after spending Christmas Day with his three brothers, twins Cowen and Corley, 18, and Caiden, 13.
The family shared a dinner with grandparents before Cason went out to play with friends at Wharton Recreation Park.
It is believe that Cason, who is asthmatic, suffered an allergic reaction.
The Winsford Academy pupil was given a shot of his epinephrine pen, but after this failed to work was taken to Leighton Hospital where he died a short time later.
READ > Children share fond memories of Wharton School site manager
The local community donated more than £15,000 to give him a funeral fit for a prince as he was led through the streets in a glass carriage led by two white horses.
Cason was given a funeral fit for a prince after the local community donated more than £15,000
Louise and her family were overwhelmed by the generosity from the town.
Now, she wants to give something back and says keeping fit is helping her to get through.
"I am coping being back at the gym," said Louise. "The gym is better than any anti-depressants or counselling. Keeping busy is key for me at the moment.
"I have had days when I can't get out of bed but Cason wouldn't want me to be down in the dumps.
Louise will be doing her squats at home during the weekend
"I still think of him every minute of every day. I know he would be behind me now saying 'Go ahead, mum, you can do it'.
Louise plans to do her squats at Funk Fitness gym during the week and at home at weekends.
Louise's best friend Vicky Whalley will be doing the challenge with her
"It is going to be 3,100 squats," said Louise. "I am a gym goer but I have never done any challenge. You've got to push yourself. I will still be doing my usual gym workouts. I walk to the gym every day, 50 minutes there and back. Keeping super busy is the only way of dealing with my grief."
Living without Cason, she said, is very hard.
"I miss everything about him, all the liveliness and cheekiness," said Louise. "You knew when he got up because he was like a baby elephant going across the landing. He used to bomb down the stairs.
"He was an absolute character. There wasn't a day he didn't make me laugh or smile. He was just amazing."
A spokesman for the Anaphylaxis Campaign said: “Our thoughts are with Louise during this difficult time. The charity is extremely grateful to Louise for thinking of us and doing an incredible challenge in loving memory of her son.
"Louise is an inspiration and we wish her and her friend Vicky all the best with the weighted squat challenge during May.”
To donate visit gofund.me/8fdce7a1
Allergy awareness week runs from May 24-31.
The Anaphylaxis Campaign charity aims to create a safe environment for all people with allergies by working with and educating the food industry, schools, pre-schools, colleges, health professionals and other key audiences.
Their focus is on medical facts, food labelling, risk reduction and allergen management.
The charity empower patients, carers and healthcare professionals through allergywise online training. A UK-wide network of volunteer-led peer support groups help people whose lives are affected by the risk of an acute allergic reaction. Their aim is to help people with severe allergy to be more confidently in control of their lives. For further details visit anaphylaxis.org.uk/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here