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The parents of a football-mad boy have told how his tragic death has left their family heartbroken.
Nine-year-old Bailey Yanik died in a London hospital just days after suffering severe headaches which were diagnosed as migraines by his GP.
Scans would later reveal the Whitstable Juniors schoolboy had fluid and swelling on his brain, but surgeons were unable to save his life.
His devastated parents, Caroline and Murad, say the support they have received since Bailey’s death has been incredible and they now want to install a memorial bench in his name.
Caroline, 37, who is a trainee dispensary at Tankerton Pharmacy, said: “Losing Bailey has left us heartbroken.
“He was a lovable, cheeky, caring, sweet and popular little boy who had many, many friends and touched the hearts of many people.
“We are not really sure what caused the problem with his brain, which is still being investigated.
“He started complaining about headaches a few days before but his doctor thought it was a migraine.
“On the Friday before he died, he didn’t go to school because his headache was so bad and we called 101 and they sent out a paramedic.
“But he also thought it was just a migraine and there was no point in taking him to hospital.”
Bailey took a turn for the worse the following day and went into a semi-coma.
Caroline said: “Alarm bells were really ringing then and we dialled 999 and an ambulance took him to Margate hospital, where they did a scan which revealed the fluid and swelling.
“He was then rushed up to London for surgery, but they couldn’t save him.”
Avid Arsenal fan Bailey played football for Tankerton under-10s and lived in Tankerton High Street with his parents, and brother and sister, Kyle, 17, and Aoife, 12.
His death on February 8 shocked and saddened his teammates and school friends, who gathered at the school gates to say goodbye as the funeral cortege drove slowly past.
At his funeral at Barham crematorium there were flowers in his beloved red and white Arsenal colours and £3,000 was donated which was shared between Tankerton FC and King’s College Hospital.
Murad, 33, a computer operator for the Home Office, says Bailey had a passion for football and would often enjoy a kickabout with family and friends on Tankerton Slopes.
“He was a lovable, cheeky, caring, sweet and popular little boy who had many, many friends and touched the hearts of many people" - Caroline Yanik
It is there they hope to install a memorial bench bearing a plaque in his name, with an appeal launched this week to raise the £1,800 needed.
Murad said: “Caroline has set up a JustGiving page for Bailey to raise money for the bench, which we hope will be a special lasting memorial to him.
“When we came down from London about four years ago, the slopes were like a garden for Bailey.
“The bench will be in a place he loved and we hope it will be somewhere where his friends and family can sit and remember him.
“We have had so many cards and messages of sympathy since losing Bailey.
“It is impossible to reply to everyone but we would like to thank them so much for their kindness and thoughts.”
