News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

David-Cameron-leaves-Downing-Street-main_article_image.jpg
PA
UK News

Samantha Cameron outlines importance of faith after death of son

by Antony Bushfield

The fashion entrepreneur said Ivan's premature death in 2009, the year before David Cameron entered No 10, was of such magnitude that it made everything else "irrelevant" and "meaningless".

Ivan, their first child, was born with a severe form of epilepsy and cerebral palsy and died shortly before his seventh birthday.

In an emotional interview for The Times she described how they had to cope with regular "life or death situations" throughout the youngster's life, yet it came as a "huge shock".

John Giles/PA Wire

Mrs Cameron said she sought strength from her faith: "Being a New Testament Christian I have found very grounding. It helped me to think I had been given Ivan as a gift to look after."

She added: "Ive dying is such a massive thing that everything else is irrelevant. It just overshadows everything. What goes on in the outside world becomes meaningless.

"Like anyone else in my situation, I just kept going. You have to deal with it, because you have no choice."

She said the couple relied on routine so they did not "fall apart completely" and they still visit Ivan's grave "very often".

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate