Alfie Evans 7

[StayingAtTamaras]

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Oh fgs shut about the bloody balloons, really quite unbelievable.

The thing is, he's not unique. There are many, many other children dying every day in similar circumstances. Where are their balloons? Where are their send offs? Balloons cause great harm and it should be illegal as people can't be relied upon to show common sense.

I bet Kyrah's page has gained some followers today. Kyrah dog coat anyone?

I think tomorrow would be better to discuss the aftermath and actions of the AA.
People grieve differently, I would think after been in the media spotlight, TE and KJ will find it difficult to withdraw quietly.
On the up side, the balloon release, keeps the AA away from AlderHey and the family have asked for it to be peaceful. Personally I would have rather had candles lit or a time of quiet reflection, but who I am to decide.
Some families have flowers, others have no flowers. I have learnt in 28 years, there is no right way to grieve.

Once again all I can do is send my empathy and sympathy to Alfie's parents, you are in a place no one should every experience, aren't enough, but I have no words, just tears.

The parents will need loads of support.

Not least because they've just watched their son die - but because they will be recognised everywhere they go, and they have had such a hectic 2 years that they won't know what to do with their time.

After Alfie's funeral will be the time the time they have will become a reality. I hope the army will be there for them then.

The hundred of balloons today WILL cause damage. There is no MIGHT about it.

Most people hold a quiet, family service of remembrance for their loved ones. Some hold a candle-lit vigil. Neither of those cause a painful death to birds, wildlife, farm animals or sea life.

The money wasted on balloons today would have been better spent if everyone, who bought balloons, had instead put £5 towards a defibrillator or other life saving equipment for the hospital. Or a bench at the hospital in memory of Alfie, seeing as that is where he spent the most of his life.

This is not the thread to post in remembrance of Alfie. You cant decide who can post what.

There are already "Save Kyrah" posts all over fb.

Some people would be better off getting a job and have something else to focus on other than jumping on the bandwagon and causing chaos over the grief of total strangers.

God Bless all the children who are (and have ever been) on EOL plans in hospitals throughout the country. Each and every one of them are very much loved and special. Their parents will have had to make a decision no parent should have to make and have made it with love, dignity and respect.

I’m no particular fan of AA, and I know balloon releases are bad news, environmentally, but can you not hear how insensitive you sound banging on and on about the balloons in the context of a child’s death? Shut UP about the blasted balloons.

De-lurking to say that yes, the balloons will cause environmental damage, but after being told "no" to everything for the past few months, I wouldn't want to be the one to say "no" to Tom Evans or AA about a balloon release.

At least this way, the Army are well away from the hospital and it may give those who feel "involved" a sense of resolution. Hopefully this means the Army will remain calm.

The Army losing the plot at not being allowed to release balloons could have potentially serious consequences, so maybe it's the lesser of two evils?

I am stunned at people banging on about balloons I really am.

Killing wildlife and littering by releasing balloons is not an appropriate "tribute" for anyone.

Perhaps it might be appropriate to start a separate thread to discuss the effect of balloon releases on the environment

Absolutely

Awareness needs to be raised about balloons (and lanterns) but not when people are grieving. No one would surely consider telling Alfie's mum and dad it's inappropriate just hours after he has died??

I hope all the people on here expressing outrage at the family organising a balloon release for Alfie have 100 per cent renewable energy tariffs and don't do things like drive cars, fly on planes, eat beef and dairy or buy from the huge volume of corporations that are destroying the planet for profit, because all these things are bad for the environment and kill wildlife too.
I seriously can't believe a thread about a terminally ill little boy who passed TODAY has turned into a bitchfest about the environment.
You can dress it up all you want, but to me it just looks like another excuse to have a pop at Alfie's family and their supporters. I really hope Alfie's family don't read any of this. It's been like watching vultures hungry for the next shred of gossip that they can pull off the Army page in order to boost their superiority complex.

@FlyingBird your post at 15.42 really pricked my heart. Obviously I've thought about the other children affected at AH - but to think some of them may be questioning their own importance? the lack of their own army? is absolutely heartbreaking.

Sizzler. What a stupid arguement. Nobody is perfect environmentally, but it's better to do as much as you can. As I've mentioned on a previous thread I live rurally and I know a few people who's animals died in agony because they ate a piece of balloon. Do you think that's right? Shall I tell my friend who watched her horse colic and paid a good few thousands of ££ at the vets trying to save it that she's being insensitive being upset?!!

None of us saying balloons are wrong are uncaring about Alfie dying, I think it's very sad. I'm glad he's no longer suffering, but I feel so very sorry for his parents. Letting a balloon off doesn't mean you care more, you know! Actually quite the opposite. If you need to do something that potentially inflicts pain on other things to grieve then it's strange.

I agree @catinboots9. Similarly with fundraising disparities between children too.

On the Alder Hey FB page, there are fundraising appeals for two little girls. The appeals are trying to raise £150 for each.

It must be so difficult for AH and the girls' parents to know how much has been donated to the Alfie Evans fund, whilst those two £150 appeals are nowhere near their target.

@honeyroar I agree that the balloons are wrong, but is there maybe a time and a place to have that discussion?

AA were rightly roundly condemned when their protests caused a disturbance at AH. Now they have done something peaceful and they are still being condemned.

Those balloons aren't cheap and I can well imagine that some may have struggled to buy them, but have done so as a tribute. That is surely a nice thing and it feels a bit mean to condemn people for that.

I guess this feels more about another way to condemn the Army, using legitimate environmental reasons to do so.

Can't we give them a break and maybe campaign for a change in balloon laws instead?

Honeyroar, no I don't think it is right, but I think it is even more wrong to be criticising the family's decision to do this in Alfie's memory on the day he has just passed away. I am sure the environmental impact didn't even cross their minds at such a tragic time and so my points were to point out that the vast majority of us unintentionally do things that harm the environment and wildlife on a daily basis too.
Too many people on here have used any shred of information to have a pop at this family and their supporters (I'll agree some of the supporters behaviour has been awful so criticism was deserved in relation to this). It was bad enough seeing this before Alfie passed, but to see criticism and gossip like behaviour on the day he has died seems awful to me, especially as a family member could read this. I am sure people like you, who have experienced the impact of balloon releases first hand, genuinely care about the environmental damage it causes, I just don't think this is the time to be publicly criticising them for it.
Out of respect for Alfie I will leave it there, I hope others do too. It would be lovely to come on here and continue to read positive sentiments about Alfie and comments of support towards his family and the hospital.

The people on this thread refusing to shut the fuck up about balloons are just as bad the worst AA members, they really are. Using the death of a baby to quarrel and push agendas is really and truly awful. I've been on MN for years and this is the first time I've been truly disgusted.

Such a sad situation for all involved.

Rest in peace little man

I hope the family and all involved get the help they deserve and are able to seek some comfort in knowing their little boy is no longer in pain and his little body no longer has to fight xxxxx

I'm a farmer and I understand that releasing balloons is a bloody stupid thing to do. But... Alfie has only just died. Would you say these awful things to the parents' faces? Have a think about that. I agree with you Buntyll the whole thing is disgusting.

We’re not talking to their faces. The thread will be deleted when full.

tetley just £150 pounds? That's all they need?

Can't we do that for them? I'd donate

Can I just come in for a moment and say how shocked I am at the hatred - and I mean hatred - that's on the Merseyside Police FB page. They posted condolences for Alfie, and have been bombarded with "Murderer" type posts - and these are mainly from the USA - and every post they have up has these posts on them. Mainly because they have no understanding of how the NHS works. What is it with the Americans?