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More on KentOnline
It's a horror no parent should have to endure but on a freezing cold January day the parents of a baby boy who tragically died from sepsis laid their "angel" to rest.
Luchii Gavrilescu was just five weeks old when he died at Margate's QEQM on December 6, a death which hospital bosses have since admitted was avoidable.
He had been sent home twice before by medics, despite red flags pointing to the life-threatening condition.
His distraught parents Laura Cooke and Vlado Gavrilescu, both 29, are demanding answers and an investigation has been launched by East Kent Hospitals into the apparent string of hospital failures.
Yesterday, with family and friends by their side, the couple said farewell to little Luchii.
Placed in a tiny blue coffin bearing the words 'twinkle twinkle little star', the tot was taken to St John's Cemetery Chapel by a horse-drawn hearse from their home in Victoria Road in Margate, with the horses draped with Romanian and British flags, representing his heritage.
A heartbreaking version of the nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, by Jewel, was played at the start of the service before loved ones spoke about the cherished little boy.
In an emotional reading, read on behalf of Ms Cooke and Mr Gavrilescu, the couple spoke of the love they hold for Luchii in their hearts.
"This is a message for our baby boy just to send you all our love," they said.
"Sadly you are no longer here on earth, you’re an angel.
"We will never forget you, you are thought of every day.
"The love we hold in our hearts will never fade away.
"Your big brother and sister will always know your name.
"Growing old without you, life’s just not the same.
"Rest peacefully with family who have also gone before.
"Watch over us always until we meet again once more. We love you always, our son."
His devastated grandmother Anne gave a reading called 'About My Grandson'.
"You were very, very special from the very start," she said.
"We held you in our arms, but mainly in our hearts.
"You have gone to play with angels in heaven up above.
"Although you were with us for just a short while, you left special memories that will live forever in our hearts."
During the service, music including Memories by Maroon 5, Jealous of the Angels by Donna Taggart and He's My Son by Mark Schultz was played.
The final song was Baby Mine by Bette Midler before Ms Cooke and Mr Gavrilescu carried out the small coffin, placing it into the horse-drawn hearse which took Luchii to the children's part of the cemetery.
Little keyrings bearing Luchii's name with a tiny silver dummy attached were handed out to mourners before they walked to the graveside for the burial, where white roses were thrown on top of the coffin and Luchii's parents released white doves into the air.
Before his death, Ms Cooke had posted on social media about her "little miracle" who made her life complete.
He was born a healthy 9lbs 1oz on October 26 at the QEQM, a little brother to Ms Cooke's two other children, Archie, 10, and nine-year-old Macie, and a first child for Mr Gavrilescu.
A friend of the family set up a fundraising page to help the family cover the funeral costs.
To donate go to https://bit.ly/2scYqmH
