‘I just want everyone to know that he existed’: Mum shares moving tribute after death of five-year-old son

Benedict Blythe, 5, passed away after having suddenly taken unwell while at school earlier in the week
Five-year-old Benedict died suddenly after taken unwell at school earlier in the week. Five-year-old Benedict died suddenly after taken unwell at school earlier in the week.
Five-year-old Benedict died suddenly after taken unwell at school earlier in the week.

A mother has shared a moving tribute to her five-year-old son after the young boy passed away suddenly.

As reported by The Peterborough Telegraph, five-year-old Benedict Blythe on Wednesday (1 December) died after having suddenly taken unwell while at school earlier in the week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Helen Blythe, Benedict’s mum, shared an emotional tribute to her son, who she described as “a bright spark” and “the kindest boy”.

‘I just want everyone to know that he existed’

Helen, from Peterborough, shared her heartbreak by posting a picture of Benedict on social media.

Alongside the picture of Benedict, she said: “This is my son, Benedict. He died yesterday, suddenly, aged five.

“I just want everyone to know that he existed, and to see his beautiful smile and know how wonderful he was. He was such a bright spark, the kindest boy. His time with us was the greatest gift.”

Tributes pour in for Benedict

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Helen continued her tribute to her son, adding that she and Benedicts family will hold memories of him “forever.

She said: “This morning, our happy, beautiful Benedict woke up and opened his advent calendar.

“That’s the happy memory I have of him, and we will hold with us forever. Today the worst of things has happened, and the sweetest, happiest, most magical boy in the world has been taken out of our lives.

“Benedict died this afternoon, with us there holding his hand. He’s asleep now, cuddling his monkey, Ray, who will look after him.”

A picture posted by Helen Blythe of Benedict with his beloved monkey Ray.A picture posted by Helen Blythe of Benedict with his beloved monkey Ray.
A picture posted by Helen Blythe of Benedict with his beloved monkey Ray.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Friends and family in Peterborough paid tribute to Benedict, who attended Barnack Primary School, with a special memorial at Barnack Church.

Members of the community have been able to visit the church to light a candle for Benedict, view a book filled with pictures of the five-year-old and talk to others affected by Benedict’s death.

‘It will help us and our family to know other children can enjoy what he did’

Mum Helen decided that the best way to honour the memory of her young child was to raise money for two of his favourite places to visit.

She said: “It would help us and our family to know that other children can enjoy what he did.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Ben loved two things: numbers/learning and trains. In his memory we’re asking for donations for the two things he loved most, for his school so that his friends can all benefit and learn and get support and for fenland light railway where we passed so many very happy hours.

“He would like that.”

Helen described just what the two places meant to Benedict, adding: “Benedict loved to learn, he loved trains and he loved his friends. He skipped into his first day of school saying ‘I wonder what I will learn today mummy?’

“He loved visiting The Fenland Light Railway too. We will always cherish the memories of doing the things he enjoyed as a family.”

The fundraiser, which has so far raised more than £19,000 for the places which Benedict “loved so much”, can be found here.

A message from the editor:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going. You can also sign up to our email newsletters and get a curated selection of our best reads to your inbox every day.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.