Boxer's girlfriend who found out she was pregnant days after his death has baby

14 August 2023 , 10:19

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Ellyn Rungay pictured with son Jesse, whose dad Cam Shaw died in a horrific snorkelling incident in October (Image: Ellyn Rungay / SWNS)

The girlfriend of boxer Cam Shaw has given birth to their "miracle" child nine months after he died in a snorkelling tragedy.

Jesse Cameron Rungay-Shaw was born last month after the diving disaster in Australia in October in which dad Cam lost his life. Proud mum Ellyn Rungay has described him as "an amazing little miracle" with the past nine months "a whirlwind of emotions".

Mr Shaw, 25, from York, was snorkelling around the Great Barrier Reef with Ellyn and their friends when he got into trouble in the water. An inquest later confirmed the champion boxer had died from drowning. Ms Rungay announced in December she was expecting the couple's first baby, having discovered shortly after his death. At the time, she described the news as a "very surreal situation", making the heartbreaking revelation how Cam was put to rest with a print-out of the baby's first scan.

Ellyn and Cam had been together for seven months (Ellyn Rungay / SWNS)

Jesse was born last month as mum Ellyn hailed him her 'little miracle' (Ellyn Rungay / SWNS)

Little Jesse, who takes his middle name from his dad, was born on July 4. Weighing 7lb and 4oz, the 28-year-old new mum said her late partner would be in sheer disbelief at the happy news. She said: "I'm sure Cam is shining down on us all - he probably would think he can't believe what's happened. He's the most amazing little miracle. It was an amazing delivery, everything went really well. I can't believe he's here really. It's been a whirlwind of emotions, but we are just so grateful that he's here and he's healthy. He has brought a lot of joy."

Ms Rungay revealed she chose the name 'Jesse' as it was one she and Cam "both loved", adding she knows he "would have approved of it". The couple had been together for seven months and were travelling in Australia at the time and were in Cairns on an organised excursion when the tragedy happened on October 24.

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The couple were on a planned trip from Cairns when tragedy struck (Ellyn Rungay / SWNS)

"Jesse means gift from God and that's what he is," she said. "When we used to speak about the future, Jesse was a name Cam and I both loved, so in a way we have both chosen it and I know that he would have approved." Mr Shaw won the Amateur Boxing Association's Elite 60kg title in 2018, and the gold medal at the prestigious Hivdovre Box Cup in Denmark the year before his death.

The talented sportsman had turned professional, but his boxing career was put on hold due to Covid. Ellyn lives with her parents Chris and Keri in Hockley, Essex, but Cam's parents Rod and Nova made the 200-mile journey to meet their new grandson. She added she was also planning to visit them with Jesse in the coming weeks.

Jesse was born weighing 7lb and 4oz (Ellyn Rungay / SWNS)

Cam had competed in international boxing contests taking two titles before having to put his career on hold (The Northern Echo / SWNS)

She said: "I am so lucky. I have got my parents and Cam's parents, everyone has been so supportive. I can't wait to come up to York to show him off to the rest of Cam's family and friends. Cam would just be so happy that my family and his family are all together, we're like one big family. His friends have been amazing, it's been amazing how everyone has just come together."

An inquest was opened by a corner at Northallerton coroners court in North Yorks,. on November 22, which confirmed that Cam had drowned. The hearing was adjourned and is expected to be concluded at a later date.

Susie Beever