Tributes to 'lovely' Coventry dad that family 'will continue to honour' as they mark five year anniversary

This week marks the fifth anniversary since a young Coventry father lost his life to a brain tumour. Callum Mckeown passed away on June 18, 2019, from grade 4 glioblastoma, which left him partially blind and brain damaged.

His sister Cheneise previously told us that it was a '13-year journey' for Callum where he couldn't move, talk or blink and was in intensive care for five weeks. She described the last week of his life as being in the 'comfort of his own home' where he has the chance to 'hold his baby in his arms' Isla-Grace.

Cheinese likes to honour Callum on the anniversary of his death. Last year, she climbed Mount Snowdon to raise awareness for brain tumours and raise funds for The Brain Tumour charity, and in previous years, she created a balloon release in 2020 to honour Callum turning 21.

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This year, she wrote an online tribute piece focusing on the past five years, talking about how Callum's daughter Isla-Grace grew into a 'thoughtful and loving' Mckeown and that she is the 'guiding light' through the pain of Callum's death. He would have approached his 26th birthday on July 21.

Her tribute on Facebook reads: "5 years today we watched you leave this earth. It still feels like yesterday, and always will. No amount of time can separate the bond, love and connection we have to you.

"Time is marked by the growth of your beautiful daughter Isla-Grace, she’s growing into such a thoughtful, loving and clever little Mckeown. We know you’re looking down and guiding her from above. She is our guiding light through this pain.

"Until death takes our hands and places us back with you, we will continue to honour you in everything that we do! We miss you more with every passing day, but each day brings us closer to you. We love you beyond measure Cal."

Many others left tributes in honour of Callum online. Carly Holland said: "Sending love to the family. Mr Mckwoen was my son's favourite teacher, taken far too soon." Claire Louise said: "Always in thoughts Cal. Hope you’re all well in the family. He’s much missed. I always think how he would be great with the kids in my class now."

Mark Stewill said: "Miss him, often think of him. Love to all the family" while Danny Carroll added: "Sending much love, thoughts and prayers your way."

The Brain Tumour Charity is the world's leading brain tumour charity, dedicated to finding new treatments, offering the highest level of support and change, and the largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally.

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