ONE year on from the tragic and sudden death of her 12-year-old son, a grieving mum says she still feels lonely and misses his “bouncy” energy.

Catherine Heffernan is preparing herself to mark the tragic anniversary of the passing of her son, Ryan Heffernan-Surplice, on March 28.

Ryan died due to sudden arrhythmic death syndrome while at Shoebury High School, in Delaware Road, sending shockwaves through the community.

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To mark the anniversary, Catherine is being invited into Shoebury High School to unveil a plaque which will be a lasting tribute to her much-loved and popular son.

Catherine, still overcome with grief, admitted Christmas without Ryan was heartbreaking, but she is doing all she can to “keep his spirit” with her by carrying a picture of him in a necklace.

The mum-of-three, 40, said: “It’s a lot quieter without him and I feel more lonely.

“I can feel his energy and presence is missing. I can feel the lack of energy without him around.

“I wear jewellery with images of him and that reminds me of him so I feel like I bring him with me.

“If I am at home I will light a candle he bought me until the smell fills the room and then I blow it out again.

“It’s very emotional, especially on big occasions, and I still have a little cry but them I remember he wouldn’t want me to be upset.

Echo:

“It’s been an unusual year and having occasions without him. On that day the school is allowing us to go and have a plaque and we are looking into what we want.

“It doesn’t feel it’s been a year. I am back at work and my daughters are back at school.

“Special occasions are very up and down, - Christmas was very hard and unusual. His birthday was just before Christmas and we still celebrated it.

“We had his friends and a party and all the kids loved it. We had Nerf gun wars and board games.”

Last June, hundreds of people turned out across Southend to attend Ryan’s funeral, with people lining the streets to create a guard of honour from Shoebury High School and along Delaware Road in Shoebury.

The funeral service at Southend Crematorium was attended by about 50 people, and 100 people attended the Salvation Army for a wake where a special video montage was shown.

Catherine added: “The coroner’s report said he died after suffering sudden arrhythmic death syndrome and he also went into cardiac arrest.

“With the plaque we are hoping to have friends and family there by the tree where it happened in the field.

“The school’s said I can arrange times to go and sit there and be with him.

“It will also be somewhere for his friends to go and remember him too.

“I feel it’s really fitting place to have it , we are still deciding what exactly it will say and look like and the arrangements of unveiling it.

“I want to say a massive thank you for all the help and support from everyone.

“Everyone’s just been amazing and I still get people come up to me in the street and give me a hug.

“It’s amazing to see how much he meant to people and the support is such a comfort.”

A full inquest into his death is set to be held later this year.

Almost £17,000 has been raised through an online fundraising page which set an initial target of £5,000.

If you would like to make a donation to Ryan’s online memorial page, visit bit.ly/387ofJf