Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Mother of boy killed by allergy urges to teach people about Anaphylactic Shock

By Nadeem Badshah


THE mother of a schoolboy who suffered a fatal allergic reaction when cheese was thrown at him, has called for a law change as it emerged last week that the Health and Safety Executive has launched an investigation into his death.

Karanbir Singh Cheema, who had allergies to wheat, gluten, egg, milk and tree nuts, died in June 2017 after a fellow pupil flicked cheese at him at William Perkin School in Greenford, west London.

His mother, Rina Cheema, said she wanted schools, restaurants and other public places to take allergies more seriously as she paid tribute to her “intelligent and self-less” son.

The coroner at St Pancras coroner’s court in London said in May there was a “missed opportunity” to inform pupils of the severity of Karanbir’s “grave allergies”.

The hearing also heard that the 13-year-old was given an EpiPen which contained adrenaline a year out of date when the incident occurred at the school.

Dr Adam Fox, who was brought in by the Metropolitan Police to review the case, has called for every school in England to keep emergency adrenaline pens on hand.

Karanbir’s mother told Eastern Eye: “I want them (government) to act to bring it in legislation like if you have a heart attack, to take it as seriously if you have an anaphylactic shock because it costs lives.

“The law needs to change. More care needs to be taken in public places, in food establishments.

“In every establishment, there should be an EpiPen. There’s no point in having plasters. Safeguard any condition you can.

“I hope it’s a wake-up call, that is what my son would have wanted. I hope my son can change history. He would have done something in this world. His legacy has to carry on.”

Cheema said her son, who died in hospital nearly two weeks after the incident at the school, loved computers, maths and helping people. She said he was initially keen on becoming a lawyer when he grew up but later wanted to become a computer engineer.

She said: “He was creative, made things out of nothing and academically he was excellent at maths.

“He was very inventive, creating things on the iPad. I was amazed at him. (He was) A very intelligent boy, I was very blessed. He was a very good boy, never gave me any trouble at all.

“He was a very selfless person. That was one thing I was humbled by, my son always thought about other people and helping.

“For instance, if we went to Sainsbury's and saw an old person struggling with their bag, he would help them without me saying anything. That is the kind of son I was blessed with.”

Cheema admitted that she was “glad the truth came out” during the inquest in May, and aims to raise awareness of the dangers of allergies and anaphylactic shock to honour Karanbir’s memory.

She added: “The allergies are actually on the rise. One in every five children have it.

“I would like to honour his name by making people aware.

“Everyone needs to understand how dangerous, how many lives it has cost. People are not taking it seriously enough. They are not picking (up) on the severity of someone’s allergies. It has caused deaths and will continue to cause deaths until people become aware of it or take it seriously.”

The Department for Education (DfE) said it has changed the rules to allow schools to buy the pens.

“We are clear that children with medical conditions should be properly supported to enjoy a full education and be safe at school,” a DfE official said.

“All schools are required to make arrangements to support pupils with medical conditions. Allergies are included in the new mandatory health education curriculum so that children also understand the facts and science relating to allergies.”

More For You

Barbie with type 1 diabetes

This is also part of Mattel’s mission to extend the boundaries of imaginative play

Mattel

Mattel introduces first Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes to promote inclusion

Highlights

  • Mattel launches new Barbie with type 1 diabetes
  • The doll features a glucose monitor, insulin pump and CGM app
  • Created in collaboration with type 1 diabetes charity Breakthrough T1D
  • Part of Mattel’s broader push for inclusivity and representation in toys

Barbie with type 1 diabetes joins inclusive fashionistas range

Mattel has launched its first diabetes Barbie doll, designed to represent children with type 1 diabetes and promote greater inclusivity in children’s toys.

The new addition to the Barbie Fashionistas line comes with realistic medical features including a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on her arm, secured with heart-shaped medical tape, and an insulin pump to help manage her blood sugar levels. She also carries a smartphone with a CGM app to monitor glucose throughout the day, and a bag large enough to store snacks and other essentials.

Keep ReadingShow less
Schiaparelli exhibition UK

Italian-born French fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli

Getty Images

V&A announces UK’s first Schiaparelli exhibition as Natasha Poonawalla’s Met Gala looks make a comeback

“In difficult times fashion is always outrageous.” – Elsa Schiaparelli.

The Victoria & Albert Museum has announced its first ever UK exhibition dedicated to Elsa Schiaparelli, the visionary designer who blurred the boundaries between fashion, art and performance. Titled Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art, it runs from 21 March to 1 November 2026 in the Sainsbury Gallery and will draw on the V&A’s status as home to Britain’s National Collection of Dress and its foremost collection of Schiaparelli garments.

Keep ReadingShow less
Martin Lewis warns shoppers

Lewis clarifies legal rights for online and in-store purchases

iStock

Martin Lewis warns shoppers about misleading return policies at 30 UK retailers

Highlights

  • Martin Lewis flags incorrect return rights information on 30 retail websites
  • Retailers include New Look, The Range, and Selfridges
  • Lewis clarifies legal rights for online and in-store purchases
  • Trading Standards to be alerted following MoneySavingExpert.com investigation

Martin Lewis highlights return rights confusion

Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has issued a warning to UK consumers after uncovering misleading returns information on the websites of 30 major retailers, including New Look, The Range, and Selfridges.

Speaking on ITV1's Good Morning Britain, Lewis explained that several retailers are presenting incorrect information about return rights for online shoppers — in some cases, underplaying the legal protections customers are entitled to.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gemma Collins Instagram ban

Collins accepted the findings of the ASA’s investigation

Getty Images

Gemma Collins’ Instagram post banned over weight-loss drug promotion

Highlights

  • Instagram post by Gemma Collins promoting Yazen weight-loss service banned
  • ASA rules it breached regulations on promoting prescription-only medication
  • Eight other weight-loss ads also banned in regulatory crackdown

ASA bans Collins' Instagram advert

An Instagram post by TV personality Gemma Collins promoting a weight-loss drug and digital service has been banned by the UK’s advertising watchdog for breaching regulations around prescription-only medicines.

Collins had shared a promotional video on 6 January 2025, stating: “I’m starting this year two sizes down, thanks to Yazen’s weight loss app and medication.” The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the post unlawfully promoted prescription-only medication to the public.

Keep ReadingShow less
5 secret beaches

Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales

iStock

5 secret beaches in the UK that feel like the tropics

Key points

  • Discover hidden UK beaches with turquoise waters and golden sands
  • Ideal for summer staycations without the cost of long-haul travel
  • Includes lesser-known spots in Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, and more
  • Perfect for quiet escapes, coastal walks, and Instagram-worthy views

Escape to paradise – no passport required

Think you need to fly halfway across the world for clear blue water and white sand? Think again. The UK is home to a surprising number of secluded beaches that look straight out of the Caribbean – without the crowds or jet lag. From hidden coves in Cornwall to windswept bays in the Scottish Highlands, here are some of the most tropical-looking beaches on British soil.

1. Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Often dubbed the UK’s answer to the Caribbean, this National Trust-owned gem boasts golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic cliffs. Accessed by a half-mile walk from Stackpole Quay, it remains blissfully untouched by development.

Keep ReadingShow less