Family’s agony at sudden death of ‘shy’ Ben (From York Press)

Family’s agony at sudden death of Ben Bingham

9:50am Wednesday 25th July 2012 in News By Karen Darley

THE family of a ten-year-old boy who died suddenly at his North Yorkshire home have paid tribute to their son.

Ben Bingham, described by his family as quiet, shy and above all, his own person, died at home in Norton last Tuesday morning.

His mum, Mandy, said everyone had been devastated by Ben’s death and said they were now waiting for the results of a post-mortem examination.

She said: “He had been suffering from headaches and had been sick at the weekend, but he was drinking fluid and trying to get back on his feet.

“That morning, I took a drink in to him at about 6am and went in to open his curtains around an hour later as I was taking him to the doctors but when his dad, Simon, checked on him again, he told me to ring for an ambulance.”

Mandy said her son loved playing football with his friends at King George’s Playing Field, playing on his X-Box with his dad and going to the library.

“Ben was a Manchester United fan but kept changing his mind – he liked to talk about football and watch it on the television with his dad,” she said.

“He also loved coming to his nana’s for Sunday dinner – chicken was his favourite.”

Mandy said Ben, who has three brothers aged 20, 16, and three, loved swimming lessons, which he went to on Saturday mornings.

“He always liked to call for a bacon sandwich or a sausage roll on his way home as well,” she said. “Ben would also come and help me when I went shopping – although he always liked to get something for himself and loved pepperoni.”

Mandy said Ben, who attended Norton Community Primary School, loved school and had lots of friends.

“He always worked hard and particularly liked science and history although after one lesson he said he was going to be a vicar,” she said.

“Ben liked to do things with his hands and play with his granddad’s tools and knew what each one did.”

Ben’s nana, Sue, said he was a lovely little boy, who was “shy and very polite and didn’t have a bad bone in his body”.

She said: “Ben loved coming to my house for sleepovers and helping in the garden where we grew sunflowers and he always left with a pocket full of sweets, especially drumsticks, which were his favourite.”

Mandy said she had received numerous cards and bunches of flowers since Ben’s death.

“Over 50 lanterns were also released from the playing field last Thursday, many with messages printed on them,” she said. “It was quite a sight and a lovely thought.”

Ben’s funeral has yet to be arranged, but will be held at St Peter’s Church in Norton with those attending asked to wear informal clothes.

Mandy said she wanted to thank everyone for their support including her parents, family, police and medical staff.

“Ben was a lovely little boy - words cannot describe how much he will be missed,” she said.