OVER 170 people turned out to pay their respects at the funeral of one-year-old Elliot Martin Stevens, from Watchet.

His parents, Paul, and Donna Stevens, have described their son as “such a gentle little boy with so much love to give”.

Elliot, who was 13 months old, died after having undergone his fifth heart operation in four months.

Elliot, who had two half-sisters and a halfbrother, was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton, with suspected dehydration after having gastroenteritis but it soon became clear that something more serious was wrong with Elliot.

It was after being transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital that he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.

It is a rare condition where the heart muscle becomes stretched and thin and it is unable to pump blood around the body efficiently.

His parents said, Donna and Paul, said: “When we first saw him here, he was on life support and in an induced coma. It was heart-breaking.

“After hearing this news, we went numb.”

Despite showing signs of recovery after treatment, Elliot’s condition began to deteriorate to the point where his heart required a mechanical pump, and Donna and Paul were told their son needed a heart transplant.

On New Year’s Day, Elliot was taken to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where he was further diagnosed with mitochondrial disease – a rare genetic condition that means the cells do not produce enough energy to work. 

For a third time, Elliot underwent open heart surgery, beginning the process required to undergo a heart transplant.

However, despite again showing signs of improvement, he had to undergo two more heart operations.

Although Elliot survived the fifth operation, he died hours later, on March 3 after almost four months in intensive care.

Donna and Pauls said: “GOSH Cardian Intensive Care Unit (CICU) worked so hard to save him, they did everything they could.

“We are and always will be in awe of how hard they worked.

“Elliot became a part of their hearts, too, and would often have nurses fighting over who was looking after him.

“They would comment on his beautiful long eyelashes and his bright blond hair, proclaiming they would be the first for a cuddle.”

Elliot was buried at St Decuman’s Church, Watchet, on March 18, where 170 guests were asked to wear bright colours and were invited to let go of 90 balloons with messages to him from Watchet Harbour.

So far, almost £5,000 has been raised for charity in Elliot’s name – £3,500 was donated to Bristol Children’s Hospital from Workplace Solution and EDF, who Paul works for.

Over £500 was also donated to the hospital from a sponsored halfmarathon run by family friend Andy Bell; and £700 has been donated to the British Heart Foundation from funeral guests.

Donna and Paul are now looking to set up their own charity in Elliot’s name to raise awareness of mitochondria disease and cardiomyopathy, and to support the organisations who are working on new cures and help.

They said: “Elliot was our hero, our inspiration. He could always light up a room with his gorgeous smile and big blue eyes.

“We were so proud of him and his determination to live.

“We want to do him proud and keep his memory alive.”

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in Elliot’s name should do so to GOSH, CICU at Bristol Children’s Hospital, the British Heart Foundation and the Lily Foundation.

Somerset County Gazette:

PAUL, Elliot and Donna Stevens.