‘HARRY Forever loved, Forever missed, Forever three’

“I often imagine what Harry would have been like if things had gone right. He would be at secondary school now, probably into football. He would have been a swimmer like his two brothers, with the biggest blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair. A Harry-shaped piece of our hearts will always be missing.”

Harry James Annable was born to parents Kerry and Richard on November 14, 2013. A little brother to Charlie and Thomas, Harry was born seven weeks early after a difficult pregnancy and spent the first ten weeks of his life in hospital.

Mum Kerry said: “There was a kidney problem, which Harry had two major surgeries on, and then came terrible seizures. We were told Harry’s brain hadn’t formed properly and that he had a condition called Polymicrogyria, a condition which affects brain development, as well as other brain issues.

“They discovered holes in his heart and sadly he also had extensive and critical Pulmonary Vein Stenosis – a rare and serious condition where there is a blockage in the blood vessels that bring blood from the lungs back to the heart.

“By the time Harry had his first birthday it’s safe to say, as parents, we were broken. Broken at the suffering our little boy was enduring. Broken with the fact there was nothing any medical professional could do to make him better. It was at this point that Dougie Mac Children’s Services came into our lives.”

In her book dedicated to her youngest son -‘HARRY Forever loved, Forever missed, Forever three’ – Kerry says herself and Richard were shown around what was then The Donna Louise Hospice in late 2014 and met the lead nurse who would oversee Harry’s care.

“I had visions of incredibly poorly children and overwhelming sadness, but what we found was the complete opposite,” says Kerry. “We walked in and were immediately greeted with love. The nurses and staff were all dressed in normal clothes and it felt like a big home from home – full of toys, laughter and fun.

“Charlie – who called the hospice ‘The House’ – absolutely loved it as staff made a big fuss of him. It wasn’t just Harry being cared for and it quickly became clear that all of us would be cared for. We were made cup after cup of tea, and while the nurses and carers chased after Charlie and quietly got to know Harry, Richard and I were shown around.

Over the next couple of years, Kerry and her family were given help and support from Dougie Mac Children’s Services, including respite and help and support at home, which Kerry highlights in her book – due to be released on Harry’s birthday this year.

She said: “While they cared for Harry downstairs on his weekend respite stay, we could stay in the family room upstairs. I could have cried – I hadn’t been able to go to bed fully at peace for over a year. I knew instantly that this place was going to be amazing for us. We desperately needed the love, care, and support they could provide.

“During one respite we took Charlie out for a few hours to a local waterpark – it was lovely to see him laughing and spend time with his Mummy and Daddy. We were back at the hospice by mid-afternoon and checked in on Harry who was absolutely fine.

“Charlie went off playing with some hospice volunteers, Richard stayed in the parents’ lounge watching sport on TV and I decided to use the time to have a lie down. We then had tea together and spent the evening in the family room watching TV in our pyjamas

“I gave Harry his night-time milk and then passed him over to the nurses, who would look after him through the night.

“Staff loved my boys and, for that, we will always love them. We also felt like a ‘normal’ family when we were there. No second glances, no sorrowful looks. It was such a positive environment, with caring people around every corner, all happy to help or listen.

“I had 100% confidence in the staff at the hospice and for us as parents, being at Children’s Services with the boys was like a bit of ‘normal’. We knew we could switch off when we were there.”

A couple of days before his third birthday, Harry became very ill. Kerry says in their hearts, the family knew his little body couldn’t fight anymore and so they asked if he could pass away at Children’s Services.

“Two staff came out to greet us,” says Kerry. “I knew them well. They didn’t need to say anything. They simply hugged me and then turned to Harry. “Hi, Harry.” And I knew we were in the right place. We were being held, in every way possible

“Harry was taken into one of the children’s rooms downstairs. It had a door leading into another bedroom, which had been set up for Charlie so he could be nearby. They asked if we wanted Harry to sleep in a cot or a bed. I told them a bed, so I could cuddle him. They brought in two single beds and pushed them together so Richard and I could both be with him.

“We had the most beautiful, quiet and calm three days giving Harry all the love and hugs that he so deserved.”

Harry gained his angel wings at 11.30pm on November 18, 2016. He was just three years and four days old.

Three years after his death, Kerry and Richard were told that Harry had been diagnosed with the incredibly rare Turnpenny-Fry Syndrome which is caused by a mutation on the PCGF2 gene.

“Being given that diagnosis meant so much to us as parents,” says Kerry, “because it gave us answers.

“Harry taught us all so much in his short life: to treasure every moment, and that it is love that matters most. He was loved unconditionally, every minute of his life. He was so beautiful and brave, and we will always be incredibly proud of him. He taught us that love, compassion, kindness, and empathy for others are the greatest gifts anyone can offer.

“The support and love we received in the last two years of Harry’s life was immense. The love they gave Harry, the fun they gave to our other little boys, Charlie’s and Thomas’ life during that time.

“The help and support they gave us in getting the correct care and support services in place when we were completely overwhelmed and heartbroken. I have no idea what we’d have done without them. 

“This is not only Harry’s story – and our story – but this is for everyone who has been through or are going through something similar. It really is a book for everyone.

“Harry was so incredibly loved by everyone. He was such a beautiful and brave little boy. We would like to thank Dougie Mac’s Children’s Services for everything they did, and still do, for us. We ask everyone to support them, for families now and in the future that will need them, just as we did.”

HARRY Forever loved, Forever missed, Forever three by Kerry Annable was released on November 14, 2025. It is available to buy from Amazon.