My story

On 20 July 2010 our beautiful son Jacob died suddenly from an anaphylactic reaction, eight days short of his 14 birthday.

Jacob struggled with asthma and allergies from an early age and was hospitalised several times. Despite this, he lived a full and energetic life. He loved football, swimming, music and, most of all, freerunning. He would jump from great heights, turn summersaults in the air and vault all obstacles in his path. He bore his illnesses cheerfully, refusing to let them interfere with what he wanted to do. His sunny disposition earned him the nickname ‘Smileyface’.

We will perhaps never know what Jacob ate the day he died. The last thing he said when I asked him was, “I’ll tell you later.” Whatever it was caused his tongue and throat to swell, stopping him from breathing. His usual medication and the emergency epipen couldn’t save him, nor could the ambulance crew or the paediatric team at Kingston Hospital despite heroic efforts.

We’ve spent 14 years with the fear that Jacob could die from his allergies and struggled desperately to protect him without denying him the freedom he so fiercely craved. In the end, it wasn’t enough.

Thousands of people suffer from asthma and allergies. For many, the conditions are life threatening. Instead of flowers for Jacob’s funeral, we are asking for donations to two charities working to raise awareness of these conditions and conduct research into helping those affected. Please give generously.

As well as AAIR, we are also raising funds for the Anaphylaxis Campaign. Please see: 


http://www.justgiving.com/JacobZeunerGriffiths-Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis Campaignhttp://www.justgiving.com/JacobZeunerGriffiths-Anaphylaxis

http://www.justgiving.com/JacobZeunerGriffiths-Anaphylaxis

My gallery 7

My Teams

My company

My charity

AAIR Charity (Asthma, Allergy & inflammation Research)

AAIR Charity (Asthma, Allergy & inflammation Research)

Charity Registration No. 1129698

We fund pioneering research into Asthma and Allergic Disease led by teams of world-renowned experts. This includes kick-start funding for research, supporting PhD students, developing education and training through worldwide contact and discussion and the purchase of necessary equipment and consumables. We are also proud to have funded the world's leading genetic research team in identifying asthma related genes.

Donations 137

Donation by Anonymous on 27/11/12

£5.00

Donation by Anonymous on 22/07/12

£310.00

Donation by Yaser El-Borgi on 06/12/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Donation by Matt Dettmar on 01/08/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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From the Meadlands Singers, raised at their "Joseph" Family fun Evening on July 6th in memory of Jacob, who was a very well-loved choir member

Donation by Jenny Metherell on 17/07/11

£150.00

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Thinking of you at this time and sorry for your loss.

Donation by Tamra Brown on 06/07/11

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Dagmar and family what a lovely little chap in your photos with deepest sympathy

Donation by Helen Roberts on 21/06/11

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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We were so sorry to hear about Jacob. Simon & Debbie

Donation by Simon Emm on 12/06/11

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

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I remember meeting a really nice kid. So sad for your loss.

Donation by Guy Bowerman on 24/04/11

£50.00

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So sorry to hear of your loss, from Jenny and Jan

Donation by jan doedens on 13/02/11

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Just read about Jacob on the H2Open site. I'm so sorry for your loss. He looked like such a great boy.

Donation by Louise Ramsay on 27/01/11

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Sincere condolences for your loss.

Donation by Eric De Moudt on 08/01/11

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Read the article in Triathletes World and was so sorry for your loss. Best wishes

Donation by Helen Jenkins on 18/11/10

£15.00

+ £4.23 Gift Aid

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Dear Dagmar and family, so very sorry for your tragic loss. It is an inspiration to read the memories of such a remarkable boy.

Donation by Karen Lock on 08/11/10

£40.00

+ £11.28 Gift Aid

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I often remember him joining in with the masters relays on Saturday mornings - a lovely boy and great swimmer. A real credit to you.

Donation by Dave Partridge on 19/10/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Donation received from Jacob's first childminder, Uzma

Donation by Simon Griffiths on 09/10/10

£40.00

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Donation by Keri Griffiths on 30/09/10

£10.00

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I also read the article in Triathlete's World and wanted to make a donation in Jacob's memory.

Donation by Julian Shaw on 29/09/10

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Just wanted to say how much I miss Jacob. Knowing him and teaching him was such a pleasure.

Donation by Helen Dowman on 26/09/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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The Lassman family just wanted to send you all our very heartfelt condolences. Words are not enough. We do not know you but have an anaphylactic child

Donation by Sarah Lassman on 24/09/10

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I just read your article in Triathlete’s World and felt compelled to make a donation and leave a brief message. My thoughts are with you & your family

Donation by Craig Wallet on 22/09/10

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I'm so sorry to hear about Jacob. He sounds like a wonderful boy. We are thinking of you.

Donation by Kate Congdon on 09/09/10

£30.00

+ £8.46 Gift Aid

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Dagmar, I'm so very sorry to hear your sad news. You have always talked about Jacob with such pride and a smile. I'm thinking of you and your family.

Donation by Amanda Hoey on 09/09/10

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

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Can't find words adequate enough.

Donation by jane Putsey on 08/09/10

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So sorry to hear of your loss, Jacob was a great kid with lots of energy and plenty of character. He was a great friend of mine and I miss him a lot.

Donation by Tom, James, Roy and Patti Bottomley on 06/09/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£6,225.00
  • Offline donations£0.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£6,225.00
  • Gift Aid£1,109.29

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.