[Galaxy ward is the pediatric ward at University College Hospital, London, where Theo and Felix have spent most of their life.]

First of all we would like to thank Niki and Danny for asking the staff from Galaxy Ward to speak to you all today. We feel honoured to be so wholeheartedly included in this celebration of Theo’s life. As always at such times it is difficult to put all that you feel into words but this is (as best we can) a collection of our memories and feelings about Theo, and what he and his family have come to mean to us over the past months.

Everyone has their own memories of Theo, but as I’ve collected together peoples thought there have been recurrent themes. He is often described as precious, beautiful, gorgeous eyes, delightful and uncomplaining – a sweet-heart who’s a joy to be with. He’s dealt with such a cruel hand in this life with patience and serenity. We don’t apologise if our description makes him sound angelic because that is what he has seemed.

I’m told that Theo means a gift from God and this seems particularly apt. It quickly became clear to us that whilst Theo and Felix might look alike, their personalities were very different. Theo was quieter than his brother and certainly less of a flirt! This made it all the more memorable when he finally gave you your first smile. We’ve shared in the excitement of his developmental achievements. These may have seemed slight compared to the usual milestones we take too much for granted, but anyone who saw the degree of effort made and were privileged to have him reach out and touch their cheek will never forget it or the inner strength and courage needed to achieve this.

We’ve watched with delight the relationship between Theo and Felix. Their great affection for each other interspersed with the occasional scrap has kept us entertained for hours. Who will ever forget Theo’s habit of waiting until Felix was asleep before pinching his dummy? For a while it seemed that their need to have some form of physical contact with each other as they lay in one cot would never be broken. Then they discovered a new concept – HOME.

Perhaps the elaborate game of musical beds that followed as first Felix and then Theo experienced life at home, rarely at the same time, was preparation for the seperation that we once felt would be impossible.

If we viewed Theo’s relationship with Felix with joy and amusement we watched the bond between mother and child with awe. I know there have been times when you must have felt that Theo had lots of mums but Niki when you were in the room the rest of the world didn’t exist for Theo – the word besotted springs to mind.

We’ve especially enjoyed the singing and I know at least one staff member who’s admitted to finding herself absentmindedly humming the “I Love my Theo” song and I don’t think we’ll ever listen to “Football’s coming home” in quite the same way again. Having visited Danny and Niki at home I wasn’t surprised to find a warm and loving place. We know that surrounded as you are by love and support of family and friends you will get through this, although not without pain or quickly.

We want you to know that we share your sadness but that’s only fair because we’ve also been privileged to share in Theo’s life. Like you we wouldn’t have missed it. So Niki, Danny, Kathy, Joey, Evie, Uncle Charlie and the family and of course Felix, please accept our heartfelt condolences and love and know that we’re there to help wherever we can. Remember that when you couldn’t be with Theo he was always surrounded by people that loved him.

The last words I’m going to say just as they were written –

“It was sometime hard to care for Theo but always rewarding”

“We miss you Theo, especially your bathtime which you loved as much as we did. You were a special and gorgeous little boy whose “chilled out” character calmed most of us, even Felix! Keep smiling xxxxxxxxx”