A tragic incident involving a joyrider and a stolen BMW led to the untimely death of Gemma Yates’ partner, Callum Steadman. The heart-wrenching event occurred on December 1, 2017, when Callum was fatally struck down while crossing the road in north Manchester, leaving Gemma devastated. At the time, Gemma was eight weeks pregnant with their first child, adding to the immense grief she was experiencing. Despite the overwhelming loss, Gemma found solace in the fact that she was carrying their unborn son, providing her with the strength to cope with the tragedy.
Callum, who was just 28 years old at the time of his death, and Gemma had been eagerly looking forward to welcoming their child into the world. On what would have been Callum’s 28th birthday, the couple had been discussing their future plans for their child, such as prams and schools. Tragically, their son, named Callum Jnr in honour of his late father, will now grow up without ever having the chance to meet him.
The perpetrator, Kayden Wallbank, a resident from the same estate as Callum, faced legal consequences for his actions. Wallbank, a convicted car thief, admitted guilt to causing death by dangerous driving, leaving the scene of an accident, handling stolen goods, driving without a licence or insurance, and driving at excessive speeds. His reckless actions resulted in the tragic loss of Callum’s life and the emotional devastation felt by his loved ones.
Following the devastating loss of Callum, Gemma, a businesswoman from Droylsden, displayed remarkable resilience by channeling her grief into a new endeavour. After resigning from her long-time job at Asda due to conflicting schedules as a single mother of three, Gemma delved into crafting permanent jewellery, inspired by popular trends on platforms like TikTok. In March of the current year, she launched her own business, Hello Sunshine, initially starting off with a market stall in Hyde before expanding to a permanent location at Eden Studio in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Despite the challenges and heartache she has faced, Gemma, now 41, views her entrepreneurial journey as a testament to her strength and determination to build a better future for herself and her children. Reflecting on her transformative experience, Gemma expressed how her perspective on life shifted after losing Callum, motivating her to pursue her dreams and find purpose in the face of adversity. Through her unwavering courage and resilience, Gemma honours the memory of her late partner and shapes a brighter future for her family.
In the midst of sorrow and loss, Gemma’s story stands as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure tragedy, find resilience, and emerge stronger in the face of adversity.