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Portsmouth family skydiving for air ambulance in memory of son

Portsmouth family skydiving for air ambulance in memory of son

BBC News12-02-2025
The mother and sister of a 10-year-old boy who died suddenly after an asthma attack are planning a skydive to raise money for the air ambulance charity that attempted to save his life.Warren, from Portsmouth, stopped breathing soon after asking for his inhaler in March 2023.His father Ian performed CPR before a specialist crew from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) arrived - but Warren could not be saved.Almost exactly two years on from Warren's death, his mum Belinda and sister Scarlett are attempting the skydive to raise money for HIOWAA.
Belinda recalled how Warren had become breathless after playing on a trampoline outside with his brother."His inhaler didn't seem to be working and he started to panic, then while I was on the phone for an ambulance, he turned blue and stopped breathing."Despite the air ambulance attending and doing their best to help Warren, he didn't make it," she added.
Warren's family, including his six siblings, have since been supported by the HIOWAA's aftercare team - led by Nikki Harris.Belinda said: "The care from the air ambulance didn't stop on that day."The family has since visited the charity's base, which had been "hard" but was also "lovely to meet the people that did their very best", she added.Ms Harris will be joining Belinda and Scarlett, as well as one of Warren's former school teachers, for the skydive on 16 March.She said she was "deeply touched" to join the "extraordinary family" in commemorating Warren's life."I can only imagine Warren's immense pride as he watches over them, guiding their journey," Ms Harris added.HIOWAA is hoping to raise £3.6m through its Operation Airbase appeal to fund a move to new headquarters near Southampton Airport.
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