Tributes paid to 'perfect smily girl' who tragically died aged 15 months

Back in October 2023, Harry Foster and his wife Rebecca lost their beautiful baby girl Olivia. She passed away suddenly and unexpectedly aged just 15 months.

Olivia "loved life" and always lit up the room. Both Harry and Rebecca will be grateful for the time they had with Olivia, as she was such a bundle of fun.

Now school teacher Harry, who is a former Street FC captain, is running 5k a day throughout May in memory of his daughter. Harry, from Somerton, has raised more than £6,500 for charity so far, said of his daughter: "She was absolutely perfect.”

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He added: “She absolutely loved life, she enjoyed herself, she loved her books and toys, friends and family coming over and spending time with us, she was just very smiley. Whatever was thrown her way, she'd be laughing, she'd be smiling, she'd be doing it with 100 per cent effort."

Olivia's passing was unexpected. She was at a playground with her father shortly before she became unwell. She was admitted to hospital that day and kept in overnight.

The next day, Olivia's condition deteriorated and she passed away on Wednesday, October 11 2023. Harry said: "We take a lot of comfort in the fact that Olivia only ever knew fun, love, and happiness. She'd been in the park just 24 hours before she died. We take a lot of comfort from saying that."

For a few months, Harry and his wife Rebecca didn't know the reason for Olivia's passing. Eventually, it was discovered that Olivia died of a swelling in her heart, known as acute myocarditis.

Inspired by their daughter's love of life, they adopted "Be more like Olivia" as their motto. Harry has the phrase tattooed on his arm, and Rebecca has it on a bracelet.

Harry, who uses the motto to get through his runs and get through the day, explained: "It's about trying to find any positive, enjoying the time you're given and supporting others as well, because that was Olivia in a nutshell. For us, there are times when we really struggle with that but that's how we try and live our lives now."

Harry would like to raise money for the charity 2Wish, who were a "lifeline" to the family. After Olivia's death, they struggled to find a charity able to support them until they discovered 2Wish in January.

2Wish supports families who have lost a child or young adult. Their services include offering counselling to bereaved families, supporting people who have witnessed the passing of a young person, and providing training and support to hospital staff.

Having been founded in Wales in 2012, the charity has recently expanded to England. For Harry, the most important thing about the running is making his daughter proud: "It's giving me purpose, it's giving me a chance to get out, get fit and raise money at the same time all in Olivia's name. The most important thing for me is trying to make Olivia proud."

During the month of May, Harry has been completing a 5km run every day, a total of 155km across 31 days. He has been mostly running in Olivia’s hometown and where her ashes are now buried, in Somerton, but has also ventured around the local communities he has played football for.

Harry is also raising money to ensure that a bereavement room can be created in both Musgrove Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital, and they have broken the £5,000 target to allow Harry and Rebecca to fulfil their wish - something that they would have really appreciated when Olivia passed away.

Harry added: “We really think that these bereavement rooms are required for parents to have a safe place to grieve if they lose a loved one. 2wish has been a lifeline to us. When Olivia died, we had no support and felt completely alone in our darkest times. 2wish is a Welsh charity, which expanded to England in January 2024, and we felt as though someone was offering us a hand to pull us up.

“We are extremely grateful for the kind, caring and professional support we have received ever since. Losing a child of any age is devastating and life is no longer what it was.

“Therefore, we have made it our mission to spread awareness of 2wish, so that other bereaved parents can receive the help that 2wish provides.”

To donate, visit 2wish.enthuse.com/pf/5k-a-day-in-may---be-more-like-olivia .

Harry is running 5k a day throughout May to raise money for 2wish. You can support the fundraiser online.