Alfie Evans supporters shout ‘I love you’ and let off balloons outside hospital as world pays tribute to ‘warrior who lay down his shield’
ALFIE Evans supporters shouted "I love you" and let off balloons outside Alder Hey hospital as the world paid tribute to the "warrior who lay down his shield".
A tearful crowd sang You'll Never Walk Alone and released blue and purple heart-shaped inflatables, the colours reflecting the family’s love of Everton football club, into the sky above Liverpool, where Alfie spent his short life.
One supporter was heard shouting "I love you Alfie!" during a countdown to the release, while others chanted the embattled toddler's name.
A little girl sang A Thousand Years by Christina Perri as hundreds joined in or applauded.
A mourner also read a poem which described Alfie as a “soldier” and Tom and Kate as perfect parents.
She said: “Never has there been parents with such a mighty fight.”
The emotional vigil paid tribute to the infant, who was in a coma for the past 16 months after being born with a rare degenerative condition.
After months of conflict between Alfie's parents, doctors and the courts, Alfie's life support machine was finally switched off on Monday.
Devastated dad Tom Evans, 21, shared his passing with the world, writing on the Alfie's Army support group: "My gladiator lay down his shield and gained his wings at 02:30... absolutely heartbroken... I LOVE YOU MY GUY".
Alfie's mum Kate James wrote: "Our baby boy grew his wings tonight at 2:30 am. We are heart broken. Thankyou everyone for all your support".
Family friend Laura McKenzie said: “Tom and Kate really appreciate everyone coming and showing their love. The whole world showed how much Alfie was loved and we’ll never, ever, ever forget him or his name. No one will.”
Floral tributes and balloons were also left outside the doors of Alder Hey, which some of Alfie’s Army had tried to storm last week.
One card left by charity fundraiser and local celebrity Speedy Mick read: “Rest in peace, little Blue Nose. You shone brighter than the sun.”
Another said: “Alfie you stole the heart of the world. We love you and will always fight for you. Forever in our hearts.”
One card read: “We fell in love with a boy we never knew. Fly high little man you’ll never be forgotten.
Alder Hey Children's Hospital released a statement offering their "heartfelt sympathy" to Alfie's family while adding that their "thoughts are with them" after a "devastating journey."
A spokesman said: “All of us feel deeply for Alfie, Kate, Tom and his whole family and our thoughts are with them.
“This has been a devastating journey for them and we would ask that their privacy and that of staff at Alder Hey is respected.”
Tributes quickly began to pour in for the tot on social media after his parents confirmed the devastating news at about 6.20am.
The Pope took to Twitter to talk of his sorrow, saying: "I am deeply moved by the death of little Alfie. Today I pray especially for his parents, as God the Father receives him in his tender embrace."
Alder Hey Children's Hospital's statement
- "We wish to express our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to Alfie's family at this extremely distressing time.
- "All of us feel deeply for Alfie, Kate, Tom and his whole family and our thoughts are with them.
- "This has been a devastating journey for them and we would ask that their privacy and the privacy of staff at Alder Hey is respected."
Sir Alan Sugar said: "RIP Alfie Evans. Sad day for his parents who fought so hard for him."
Tory MP and leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, tweeted: "So very sad to hear that Alfie Evans has passed away. My thoughts are with his parents and family who must be devastated.
"Grateful thanks to the hospital staff who did all they could for him in such terribly difficult circumstances".
Sky News' Kay Burley added simply: "RIP Alfie Evans".
How brave Alfie battled his illness
9 May 2016 - Alfie is born in Liverpool to parents Tom Evans and Kate James.
14 December 2016 - Alfie is taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital after suffering seizures. He will spend the next 12 months there.
11 December 2017 - The hospital and family disagree over Alfie's treatment, with his parents saying that the hospital applied to the High Court to remove parental rights and withdraw ventilation.
19 December 2017 - The High Court case begins with Mr Justice Hayden saying he will make a decision on what is best for Alfie.
1 February 2018 - A hearing begins at the High Court in Liverpool in which lawyers acting for the hospital claim further treatment for Alfie is unkind and inhumane.
2 February 2018 - One of Alfie's doctors tells the judge there is "no hope" for the youngster, who is in a semi-vegetative state from a degenerative neurological condition doctors have not been able to definitively diagnose.
20 February 2018 - Mr Justice Hayden rules in favour of the hospital and accepts medical evidence that further treatment would be futile.
1 March 2018 - Court of Appeal judges in London refuse more time for Tom and Kate.
6 March 2018 - Three Court of Appeal judges uphold the decision of Mr Justice Hayden.
20 March 2018 - Supreme Court justices refuse the couple permission to mount another appeal.
28 March 2018 - The European Court of Human Rights also rejects a request from the family to intervene.
11 April 2018 - High Court judge endorses an end-of life care plan.
16 April 2018 - Alfie's parents argue he is being wrongly "detained" at Alder Hey and make a habeas corpus application. Judges at the Court of Appeal in London rule against them.
18 April 2018 - Mr Evans flies to Rome and meets with Pope Francis.
20 April 2018 - The Supreme Court rules against Alfie's parents for a second time.
23 April 2018 - The ECHR rejects a last-ditch appeal. Supporters storm the hospital. Alfie is granted Italian citizenship. His life support is turned off at 9.17pm.
24 April 2018 - Alfie is still breathing on his own and has had oxygen and water, his father tells supporters.
25 April 2018 - Alfie's parents lose their appeal to take the tot to Italy for further treatment.
26 April 2018- Supporters of Alfie hold a candlelit vigil for the child at the Vatican as his father calls for demonstrations outside the hospital to end
28 April 2018 - Alfie dies five days after doctors turn off his ventilator
BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker said:" Very sad to hear about the death of little Alfie Evans. I hope his family are able to find some sort of peace after such a painful & public few weeks."
England WAG Becky Vardy added: "This morning heaven gained an angel. Alfie Evans you stole my heart and the hearts of so many!
"May you rest in peace little man. Thinking of you, Tom and Kate! You did your little champ proud."
TV chef James Martin added: "RIP Alfie Evans".
Gemma Lowery, whose son Bradley, six, died in July following a battle with neuroblastoma, wrote on Facebook: “I’m sending all my love to Alfie’s parents, they did everything they could for their little boy.
“RIP sweetheart, fly high with them angels and go have some fun with my baby boy.”
TV presenter Piers Morgan, who had backed the family in their legal fight, tweeted: “My deepest condolences to his parents, who fought so hard for their brave little boy.”
Boxer and fellow Liverpudlian ony Bellew also tweeted his condolences to the little lad saying: "RIP Alfie Evans... A brave little soldier all the way to the end... Thoughts are with his mother & father today.. #RIPAlfieEvans."
Model Danielle Lloyd, also from Liverpool, wrote: "Heartbroken this morning to wake up to the news @alfiesarmy has past away what a strong little boy he was now he will be watching over all that helped him.
"Having children myself I can’t imagine just how the past months years have been for his family Rest in peace angel."
The battling tot had surprised medics by breathing unaided with just oxygen, milk and water since life-support was withdrawn at 9.17pm on Monday.
His parents had asked well-wishers to pray as they kept a bedside vigil and posted pictures of him sleeping on mum Kate's chest as he clung to life.
Alfie's plight touched millions around the world and drew a personal intervention from Pope Francis as his parents lost a high-profile legal battle to keep him alive.
The head of the Vatican’s Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital even travelled to Liverpool in a bid to get the sick tot flown to Italy.
Alfie was given Italian citizenship on Monday in the hope of heading there for treatment. Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said yesterday: “Goodbye little Alfie. We loved you.”
Archbishop Monsignor Francesco Cavina, who helped arrange Tom’s audience with the Pope, said: “If there is anything positive from this it’s the fact that we have reawakened the conscience of many to ask the question: Who is that has the right of life and death over people?
“In these last few days a movement has been born and will never die, and which will be spent for the good of life in whatever circumstance.”
Rome’s mayor Virginia Raggi, who had campaigned for Alfie to be moved to the city’s Bambino Gesù hospital, said: “I feel deep pain for the death of little Alfie. Rome is with the family in their suffering.”
The Archbishop of Liverpool Malcolm McMahon said everyone had been touched by Alfie’s “heroic struggle for life”.
He added: “As a Christian Alfie has the promises of God, who is love, to welcome him into his heavenly home.
“Although the past few weeks have been difficult with much activity on social media, we must recognise that all who have played a part in Alfie’s life have wanted to act for his good, as they see it.
“Above all, we must thank Tom and Kate for their unstinting love of their son, and the hospital staff for their professional care.”
Supporters held protests in London, Belfast, Warsaw and the US after judges refused to let Alfie go to a hospital in Italy.
On Thursday evening supporters held a candlelit vigil at the Vatican - as Tom called for protests outside the hospital to end so Alfie's final days could be "dignified".
Emotions got high and supporters were in tense stand offs with police as they campaigned outside the hospital building.
But Tom pleaded with them to “return back to your everyday lives” after accepting the campaign was over and deciding to focus instead of trying to take Alfie home to die in peace.
He thanked medics for their "dignity and professionalism" and added: “Together we recognise the strains that recent events have put upon us all and we now wish for privacy for everyone concerned.
“In Alfie’s interests we will work with his treating team on a plan that provides our boy with the dignity and comfort he needs."
Tom also told Alfie's Army: "We are very grateful and we appreciate all the support we have received from around the world, including from our Italian and Polish supporters, who have dedicated their time and support to our incredible fight."
He also praised partner Kate for sustaining him and their son, saying: "Alfie’s fought through the night the last two nights because he’s been lying on her chest nonstop.
"And him and his mum have become closer now more than ever before."
He added: "I cannot explain how blessed I am to have Alfie and Kate in my life. That's what keeps me fighting".
Aunt Sarah Evans told wellwishers from "Alfie's Army": “On behalf of Tom and Kate we can’t thank you all enough. We are absolutely broken. We thought we would have him home today but he broke down the shield and took flight.”
She later added: “It’s just unreal. He was meant to be getting risk assessed today to come home.”
On Wednesday night Kate posted a poignant clip of their sleeping son with the words: "My whole entire world I love you so much baby boy".
Another clip showing her stroking his face attracted 1.2 million Facebook views in 11 hours.
Grieving is so hard but pain will fade
By STEPHANIE NIMMO, Mum who cared for dying daughter
MUM-of-four Stephanie, 49, wrote a book about caring for her tragic daughter Daisy. Here is her letter to Alfie’s parents:
"I understand the sheer heartache Alfie’s family is going through.
"Daisy was born with a rare, sporadic gene mutation called Costello syndrome. She lost the ability to walk, developed severe seizures and had an increased risk of cancer and heart problems.
"Just like Alfie’s parents, my husband Andy and I had to come to terms with knowing that our child was going to die.
"Daisy lived to 12. She died on January 31 last year, just over a year after my husband lost his battle with cancer.
"The turning point came when Daisy suffered a cardiac arrest. The team at Great Ormond Street hospital gave her CPR and watching her little chest being compressed over and over again was the most horrific thing.
"I knew then it was time to stop. She was in immense pain. I had to ask myself, how long can we go on playing God?
"Her life support was turned off, she took three breaths then died peacefully and with dignity.
"But it wasn’t easy. I never, ever thought I would have to make that decision as a parent. Yet in the end I know I did the right thing.
"I made a different decision to Alfie’s parents but that does not mean it was wrong to want to keep him alive. Every case is different.
"I have had trolls telling me I gave up on my child. It’s hurtful and not true.
"After Daisy died, I was able to take her home.
"It really helped to unhook her from all the machines and have her be our little girl again.
"We dressed her and put flowers in her hair. We played music. It gave us closure. I hope Alfie’s parents can do the same.
"My advice would be to recall the good memories and try not to be angry.
"Talk to anyone who will listen and let it all out.
"I have good and bad days. They will too. I just hope they can move forward with love."
After Tom's plea, the protest site outside Alder Hey was all but abandoned as supporters left behind balloons and posters vowing never to give up the fight to keep Alfie alive.
Liverpool NHS staff had been warned to hide their uniforms after being targeted with abuse online and amid rowdy scenes at the hospital.
Alfie was born on May 9, 2016, but missed developmental milestones and began suffering seizures after a chest infection.
He was placed on life support at Alder Hey in December 2016, where he stayed for the next 16 months of his tragically short life.
Last year his parents began a bitter legal fight with the hospital about his care.
Doctors said brain scans showed his frequent seizures had destroyed most of his brain tissue.
A High Court judge agreed it was not in Alfie's best interests to continue treatment and he should be allowed to die.
Tom and Kate hoped to take him to hospitals offering to treat him in Italy and Germany but repeated challenges to the Appeal Court, Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights all failed.
Lawyers launched a fresh appeal after Alfie's life support was switched off but three top judges refused another bid to take him to the Vatican's Bambino Gesu clinic.
The case had echoes of the plight of Charlie Gard, who died a week short of his first birthday after a high-profile legal battle against Great Ormond Street hospital last year.
His parents raised £1.2million for experimental treatment in the US but judges said it was futile.
Chris Gard and Connie Yates have backed a campaign for "Alfie's Law" to give parents more say over hospital care.
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