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Mum Pays Tribute To Her 20-Year-Old Daughter After Death From Overdose

Mum Pays Tribute To Her 20-Year-Old Daughter After Death From Overdose

Lorna Hewat said her daughter Shannon was 'very funny' and 'loyal'

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A mother from Lincoln has paid an emotional tribute to her daughter, who died from an overdose at the age of 20.

Shannon Hewat loved going out and being with her friends, but returned from one such night with what her mum believed to be a hangover, but later turned out to be much worse.

On 21 July, she was rushed to Lincoln County Hospital, where coronavirus restrictions prevented her mother from being at her side, and went into a coma.

Shannon was later transferred to a hospital in Birmingham for emergency surgery after her organs went into complete failure.

Her mother and younger brother were then allowed just 30 minutes with her before her operation, but as her mum waited in a hotel nearby, she received the call to tell her that her daughter was dead.

Lorna Hewat/MEN Media

Lorna Hewat told Lincolnshire Live: "We believe she took the overdose on Monday [20 July].

"She had been out all weekend and I thought she had a bad hangover and that is why she was being sick.

"I was trying to give her dried toast, biscuits and crackers and tried to get her to sip water.

"I had no idea and her friend who was here also had no idea.

"She told me [what she had done]. I think she was frightened at that point because she was in a lot of pain."

She continued: "I refused to believe it. I was shouting at the doctors to help her. I knew she wouldn't leave me.

"She was supposed to go for a liver transplant, she only had a couple of hours to hold on.

"I have just been in complete shock, I still can't believe it.

"I am just waiting for her to come through the door and every now and then again I can hear her voice in the house.

"I would do anything for her just to come in and chuck her stuff on the floor even though we have a coat-rack."

Lorna Hewat/MEN Media

Lorna described the special bond that she had with her daughter, and that her daughter had with her two brothers, Dominic and Connor.

She explained: "We were very, very close. Even during the lockdown I said to my mum it was a full-time job just texting Shannon all day.

"We were very close. I have two boys, but mums and daughters are very close. It was like we were joined at the hip, we were best friends.

"Connor and Shannon used to be inseparable. They used to top and tail in bed, they were as thick as thieves."

Lorna Hewat/MEN Media

Lorna paid tribute to her daughter, who will remain in the family home before a private funeral in Lincoln and burial alongside her grandfather and uncle in Scotland.

She said: "She was very funny, she had a good sense of humour. She was very quick-witted - I don't know how she managed get these quick comebacks, she didn't get it from me, that's for sure.

"She was very loyal and a very loyal friend. Her friends have all messaged me and said how much a wonderful friend she was, a good listener and how she would help any of them out of dark places.

"She was very supportive but she was proud and stubborn so didn't like to share her own troubles.

"Shannon liked to appear strong. She was very energetic and had a lot of lust for life."

A fundraising page has been set up due to the unexpected nature of the funeral costs, and has so far raised more than £3,000 ($3,800).

Her mother added: "It's absolutely beyond words. I don't even know to express my gratitude.

"There are no words I can say to people to say thank you for their generosity and messages of support.

"Whether they have sent a donation or not, everyone has been unbelievable."

Featured Image Credit: Lorna Hewat/MEN Media

Topics: UK News