• Warwick Arts Centre will host event in tribute of “Laughing Boy”

• Quilt for Connor, who died aged 18 while under NHS care, to be hung from balcony

• Warwick Chamber Choir and Warwick Chorus will perform open renditions from A Child of our Time

An incredible meeting of community projects will come together on Sunday, 26 June at Warwick Arts Centre. The event is to honour the life and mourn the death of Connor Sparrowhawk, who died aged 18 while a temporary patient in a specialist NHS treatment and assessment unit for people with learning disabilities in Oxford.

Connor had epilepsy, autism and learning disabilities. His nickname “Laughing Boy”, or “LB” for short, was the result of his infectious sense of humour that his friends and family loved. He was enthusiastic about all forms of transport, in particular buses, and produced beautiful drawings and paintings.

People from around the UK and the world have supported his family since their loss. Many of the supporters never knew Connor; instead they have followed the story on social media or on the news. The network of people has called for better understanding, better rights and better services for people with learning disabilities.

An independent inquiry found Connor’s death to be “preventable” and an inquest into his death in 2015 concluded that neglect was a contributory factor. On 9 June, almost three years after his death, the NHS Trust involved publicly admitted responsibility for Connor’s death .

A nine by four and a half foot quilt, produced in Coventry by members of the University of Warwick community, has been created in Connor’s memory from hundreds of pieces of cloth, contributed by His family’s supporters from eight different countries, and has been exhibited over the past two years in academic and arts venues, as well as Coventry Cathedral.

Event organiser and Associate Professor (Emeritus) Janet Read of Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick said:

“While the focus on 26 June is on Connor and his family, we also want to draw attention to the widespread violation of the rights of many other people with learning disabilities in this country and elsewhere. Everyone is very welcome to join us, to sing, to listen and to celebrate Connor's life.”

Event details:

Start: 18:30 26 June 2016

Location: Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 8UW

Members of the public are invited to come and join in

Notes to editors:

Members of the press are welcome to attend, contact: Alex Buxton, Communications Manager
Tel: 02476 150423, Mob: 07876 218166, a.buxton.1@warwick.ac.uk

Contact:

Alex Buxton

Communications Manager
Tel: 02476 150423
Mob: 07876 218166
a.buxton.1@warwick.ac.uk