Charity fund launched in memory of tragic Freddie Fox - The Solihull Observer

Charity fund launched in memory of tragic Freddie Fox

Solihull Editorial 31st Jul, 2015 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

THE FAMILY of a 13-month-old baby who died in a motorway crash have launched a new fund to help others who have lost a child.

Freddie Fox’s family were left devastated after he suffered fatal injuries in an accident on the M6, between Rugby and Coventry, in December last year.

As they tried to deal with their grief, Freddie’s mum Charlotte Jolliffe found there was very little support on offer for parents who had lost a child.

The family, originally from Rugby and with family ties to Coventry, have now launched Freddie’s Wish, a charitable trust which aims to raise thousands to support bereaved parents in similar situations.




The first major fundraiser for Freddie’s Wish will come when his family and friends take on the 10-mile Morrisons Great South Run.

Freddie’s grandfather Steve Jolliffe, 53, and wife Jill, 52, from Long Itchington near Leamington, will take part in the 10-mile event alongside Charlotte’s sister Annabel, 22, and Annabel’s boyfriend Andy Horne, 23.


Steve said: “Since we lost Freddie it’s been absolute hell. The whole family absolutely doted on Freddie and to lose him in such tragic circumstances left a huge hole in all our lives.

“My daughter Charlotte is particularly concerned about the lack of support that is offered for bereaved parents. She felt there was very little support offered to her.

“The way to describe it is that when you become pregnant you go into a system – there are ante-natal checks, health visitors and so on – but when you lose a child there is no such system and you are left to instigate everything yourself.

“We have found that when you suffer a tragedy of this scale you can sink or swim. We decided that we would do positive things in Freddie’s memory – to keep his memory alive by helping other people in similar positions.”

The family have already raised thousands of pounds in Freddie’s memory for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital charities. More than £8,000 came from well-wishers on a fundraising web page set up by Charlotte after Freddie’s death.

The family also staged a series of events to raise £5,000 for Warwickshire Air Ambulance, whom they thanked for attending the crash and trying to save Freddie’s life.

To sponsor Freddie’s family and friends, visit their fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/FreddieFox23 or visit www.freddieswish.org to learn more about the charity.

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