A special awards ceremony has now been held in memory of Liam Andrews who died last summer after complaining of headache
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Liam Andrews had his whole life ahead of him when a freak sneezing fit led to a fatal brain haemorrhage.
The 17-year-old from Stockton had sneezed six times in a row when he complained to his mum Suzanne that he had a headache.
Within moments it was apparent Liam was seriously ill and Suzanne phoned for an ambulance.
Liam was declared brain dead four days later and his devastated mum and five siblings had to come to terms with their loss.
It has now been nine months since Liam died last June - on his brother’s birthday - and a special awards ceremony was recently held in his memory.
“When Liam died we asked for donations to the Education Centre for Children with Down Syndrome (based in Newton Aycliffe), where his little brother, Elliott, goes, instead of flowers,” said Suzanne, who lives in Roseworth with her other children, Amy, 17, Elliott, 12, Erin, nine, Lewis, three, and Evie, one.
“We raised about £500 and having talked to Maggie Hart at the centre we decided to do something in his memory.”
The first Liam Andrews Awards were held on World Down’s Syndrome Day and the emotional evening saw Elliott receive the school-age pupil of the year award and his grandma - Suzanne’s mum - Pat, known affectionately as Granny Pat by everyone at the centre, was crowned volunteer of the year.
“We feel really proud that something positive has come from this, it’s a lasting thing in his memory,” said Suzanne.
She is also very proud that her son saved six people’s lives, including a baby, by being an organ donor.
Described as “mischievous and a bit of a daredevil”, Liam, an art, fashion and photography student at Middlesbrough College, was also very family-oriented.
“Liam and Elliott were very close and he was dead proud of Elliott being his brother,” said Suzanne, 35.
“He lived life to the full. He was sensitive and very caring and wasn’t afraid to show his feelings. He was also funny and a typical 17-year-old boy.”
His death has proved a mystery as a post-mortem examination revealed the teenager was “perfectly healthy with no underlying condition”.
“You don’t die from a sneeze, people sneeze every day,” she said. “There was a lot of worry with the other kids after Liam died.
"The shock of him going so suddenly was horrific.”
It is three months until the first anniversary but Suzanne is determined the day will be full of cake and balloons as it will also be Elliott’s 13th birthday.
Maggie, head of education and training at ECCDS, said: “Elliott has been coming to the centre since he was five. What happened to Liam was shocking. Suzanne is such a strong lady; they are a great family. We kept it in the family for the awards this year but next year there will be different criteria.”
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