Heartbroken parents have paid tribute to their "warrior" Scots baby who died suddenly having battled a rare condition. Little Charlie McMeekin was just 14-months-old when he died on April 19 having suddenly stopped breathing at home.
The tot, from Renfrew, was diagnosed with Charge Syndrome - a complex genetic disease that can cause extensive difficulties that differ from child to child - among a number of conditions when he was born. Charlie was in and out of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital throughout his short life, having undergone surgery and a number of treatments.
Charlie's health appeared stable and he was experiencing no unusual symptoms before he rapidly deteriorated. One the day of his death Dad Brian McMeekin, 43, said it was like his son suddenly "switched off" and stopped breathing.
An ambulance rushed the youngster to hospital, but medics were unable to save his life. Mum Victoria Mansfield, 36, told how her "heart has been ripped out her chest" since Charlie's passing.
She told the Record: "The day he passed it was so sudden. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and he just stopped breathing. I screamed and I phoned 999 as Brian started doing chest compressions.
"When we got to hospital the doctor told us it wasn't good news, there was nothing they could do and we should go and say goodbye.
"I am totally distraught. It feels like my heart has been ripped out of my chest."
Brian added: "It was like he was suddenly a different baby. I've never seen anything like it in my life, it was like someone had just switched an off button.
"When we got to the hospital we were expecting him to be in Resus and for them to tell us it would be fine. We feel like we have been robbed. I have never cried so much in my life. We are in so much pain."
As well as Charge Syndrome, Charlie was born with one kidney and Dumping Syndrome - meaning his stomach emptied its contents too rapidly into his small intestine.
He also had a hiatus hernia, where part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm, and was fed through a tube. He couldn't swallow and had to have saliva suctioned, which improved when he was given botox treatment.
Charlie also had surgery at eight-months-old where doctors removed part of his voice box, his tonsils and adenoids to help acid reflux. His exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed after a post mortem proved inconclusive, meaning the family will need to wait months for answers.
They have been staying at Robin House Children's Hospice in Balloch, where little Charlie's body is kept in a preservation room ahead of his funeral. The parents say the extra time with their boy has been a lifeline, and have thanked the Children's Hospices Across Scotland charity for their outstanding support.
Brian said: "The aftercare and support we've received from CHAS has been mind blowing. Charlie is in the rainbow room and we can go see him anytime we want to hold his hand, give him a kiss and talk to him."
Paying tribute to her beloved son, Victoria continued: "Charlie was the happiest wee boy. He was full of smiles and he was just amazing.
"He was a warrior. It's not easy to bury your child and not know what happened. I think I will fall apart at the funeral. We just want to give him the best sendoff we can."
Charlie will be laid to rest next week and his final journey will be in a horse and carriage, with loved ones planning to set off doves at his grave in a touching tribute.
A fundraising page to help pay for the funeral has been set up and donations can be made by clicking here.
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