A 22-year-old university graduate died after she fell ill with a ‘sore throat’. 

Amy Forsythe, a recent university graduate from Northern Ireland, died after being rushed to hospital and spending just five days in intensive care.

Amy fell sick in November last year with a ‘sore throat’ – which later turned into a life-threatening condition that left her fighting for her life.

In a tragic development, Amy’s sore throat led to an abscess that ended up blocking her airways. 

Despite spending time in Ulster Hospital’s intensive care unit, Amy passed away less than a week after being admitted to hospital on November 16. 

Nicola, Amy’s mother, fondly described her daughter as the ‘life of the party’. Amy had recently completed her university education and was on the path to becoming a teacher.

‘Amy was our eldest child. 

Amy Forsythe, a recent university graduate from Northern Ireland , died after being rushed to hospital and spending just five days in intensive care

Amy’s sore throat led to an abscess that ended up blocking her airways

‘She came back over a year ago from Liverpool John Moore University, after completing a degree in Journalism. 

‘She was working as a Classroom Assistant and planning to do her teacher training’, Nicola said.

‘Last November, Amy took ill at home. 

‘We had to call an ambulance and she was brought to the Ulster Hospital, where she spent five days in Intensive Care. 

‘It was end-of-life care, she was only 22. 

‘Amy had a sore throat, which led to an abscess that blocked her airway and she passed away on 16 November 2024.’

The Forsythe family are now raising money for the intensive care unit that cared for their daughter. 

The family has contributed over £15,000 to the intensive care unit that cared for Amy during her last days, expressing their desire to ‘give back’ in appreciation of the ‘outstanding’ support Amy received.

Nicola said: ‘The team in the Intensive Care Unit were amazing and we decided that we wanted to give something back, so we started to fundraise. 

Amy’s family are now raising money for the intensive care unit that treated her in her final days

‘During Amy’s funeral, we requested only family flowers, while friends and relatives chose to donate money, raising £2,500 for the hospital instead of bringing flowers.’

Amy’s family said they wanted their fundraising to reflect her vibrant personality. 

‘Amy was always the life and soul of the party’, Nicola said.

‘She was vibrant and full of energy with a huge personality. Her favorite colors were pink and yellow, and everything she wore was in those colors.

‘Our aim is to help make a room or space in the unit more comforting for families during such challenging times, and that’s what we strive to achieve.

‘After the funeral, I said to my husband James that it would be lovely if we could raise another thousand pounds. 

‘In January, we decided to run relay teams in the Belfast Marathon.

‘I am a runner, James is not, so he suggested holding a quiz as well. 

Nicola, Amy’s mother, described her as the ‘life and soul of the party’

We held a quiz night at our local football club, where our son, Thomas, plays, at the end of March. It was a fantastic event with a great turnout, and donations kept pouring in. That night, we raised £7,000.’

‘We aimed to raise £10,000, but with the quiz, the relay teams in May and the support of my running club, Scrabo Striders, the total just kept climbing. With the fundraising and donations in lieu of flowers, we raised over £15,000 for the Unit.’

Ulster Hospital Intensive Care Unit Manager, Shauna Lynam, gave her thanks to the Forsythe family.

Shauna said: ‘This is such a wonderful donation for the Unit at what is such a tragic time for the family.

‘To be there to support Amy and her loved ones on such a sad journey was a privilege for the team of Doctors and Nurses in the Intensive Care Unit. 

‘We are deeply grateful for this incredible donation and we plan to use it to enhance our facilities for families and relatives. We will also ensure something pink and yellow is included in the Unit to remember Amy dearly.’

Amy’s mother Nicola added: ‘Coming back to the Unit to make the donation was bittersweet, but we really hope that this will go towards making a difference for other families.’