A COUPLE from Bournemouth have paid tribute to their “loving” and “passionate” seven-year-old son who died suddenly this month.

Alfie McDermott had been enjoying a day out at Farmer Palmer’s when he suffered a fatal asthma attack.

His mum, Jennifer, said he was only diagnosed with the condition 18 months previously, and the attacks were anxiety-induced. However, they were not believed to be life-threatening.

“He shouldn’t have died at that age. It was horrific and unexpected,” she said.

“Normally, he would come round after an attack once his mind had relaxed, but this time his automatic body responses didn’t take over.”

Jennifer and John, Alfie’s dad, praised the “phenomenal” care at the children’s ward at Poole Hospital, which Alfie visited monthly.

A fundraising page has been set up so the family can make a donation towards spirometry equipment, which measures and records respiratory movements, for the hospital. Money has also been raised to purchase a rainbow-coloured bench in Alfie’s memory, which will be installed at St Peter’s primary school in Bournemouth.

“He loved rainbows and unicorns,” Jennifer said. “He’s having a colourful funeral with so many beautiful things. We want it to be a celebration of his life and a bit of a spectacle.”

“He loved Minecraft and vlogging and made some amazing videos. Those will be our best memories,” John said.

“He was a loving person who went at 100mph sometimes. He had so much love and was really passionate about everything.”

Jennifer added: “He was close to his brother, Harry, who is 18 months younger, and his uncle Norman.

“He also had a little girlfriend called Madeline. It was a beautiful friendship. They were together for three years and went out every Valentine’s Day. I was relegated three tables away.”

Alfie’s funeral takes place at Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Boscombe tomorrow.

“We know he’s going to live in different ways for us now. Some people are too good for this world,” Jennifer said.

She added: “We’re trying to take all the positives. Everyone - the school, Father Adrian Howell, Poole children’s ward – has been so supportive.”

Theresa Bates, who set up the fundraising page, said: “Alfie was a much loved little boy, by his family, friends and teachers. We simply cannot imagine what his family are having to go through at this time.

“Some of us mums thought that it would be lovely to obtain a colourful bench in memory of Alfie and have it engraved. Apparently Miss Pepper has told the children that they will be planting an apple tree as that was Alfie’s favourite fruit, so the bench next to it would be a lovely touch.”

Visit the fundraising page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alfiesrainbowbench