Funeral date set as 'beautiful' boy, 2, who died at nursery to be laid to rest
The family of a two-year-old boy who died following an incident at a nursery have issued a heartbreaking update. Jude Gerrard had gone to nursery like "any normal day" on Tuesday, January 14 when he suffered a medical episode.
The toddler was taken to hospital at around 12.35pm but sadly died, after the incident at Early Learners Day Nursery, on Hawthorne Road in Bootle. An inquest into the death of "smiley" Jude opened at Bootle Town Hall on Wednesday, January 29.
Coroner Julie Alison Goulding adjourned the hearing to a later date after confirming they are awaiting a cause of death for Jude. The coroner said investigations into the death of a toddler will be carried out by the police, health and safety watchdog and Food Standards Agency.
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In a tribute posted online on Monday, February 3, a family member thanked people for their kindness and announced there will be a celebration of Jude's life in Crosby. They said: "Your kindness means more than words can express to Jude’s family during this heartbreaking time.
"We will celebrate Jude’s life on Saturday, February 15, at 10.30am at St Peter's and St Paul’s Church, Liverpool Road, Crosby, L23 5TE. Jude’s mum and dad would love for you to be there to celebrate Jude's life, even if you did not get the chance to meet Jude, but he simply made you smile.
"The family wants to give him the best send-off possible and you are welcome to join the celebration of his life. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. In loving memory of Jude Joseph Gerrard."
In a heart breaking tribute Jude's parents Rebekah Sheridan and Charlie Gerrard, both 28, previously said they were "absolutely heartbroken" after the unexpected loss of their "sweet baby boy," who died due to a "so preventable" death.
They said: "This is our sweet baby boy, Jude Gerrard. We are absolutely heartbroken and devastated beyond words by this shocking and unexpected loss of the love of our lives. I know all parents think this about their own children, but Jude truly was so incredibly special.
"Everybody who ever met him couldn’t help but instantly love him, and he had so much love for everyone too, even if he’d pretend to web you like Spider-Man or wrestle you like Hulk Hogan.
“Our lives will never be the same again, he really was too good to be true and we can’t believe he has been taken away from us like this, with something so preventable. He deserved so, so much more. We count ourselves so lucky we got to be his mummy and daddy for two and a half years, even though he should have had so much more time.
“Please respect our privacy as we process and grieve this unimaginable loss and the police continue to investigate what happened to our amazing, beautiful, caring boy, Judie.” Following the death Ofsted has suspended the nursery for six weeks while an investigation is ongoing.