CALLUM SIMPSON’S sister Lily-Rae tragically died in a horror quad bike accident in Greece last year.
The boxer, 28, defends his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles against Steed Woodall on Saturday, January 10, where he will honour his beloved sibling’s memory.
Lily-Rae Simpson was the 19-year-old sister of boxer Callum Simpson.
On August 3, 2024, the fighter from Barnsley took home the Lonsdale belt with victory over Zak Chelli.
In social media posts that were shared by Sky Sports, Lily-Rae was captured on video enjoying her big bro’s triumph and singing his name.
Just two weeks later, on the first night of a holiday in Greece, she was in a tragic road accident, which eventually took her life following a 10-day coma.
Lily-Rae had recently completed a course in beauty studies at Barnsley College — she was on holiday celebrating the achievement when the horrific accident occurred.
On September 3, 2024, a heartbroken Callum shared the news of her passing on social media.
Posting a picture of his little sister, the boxer wrote: “Absolutely heartbroken to say that my beautiful little sister, Lily-Rae, was in a road accident while on holiday in Zante.
“She was flown to Athens and spent 10 days in ICU, but despite the best efforts of the medical teams, Lily sadly passed away.”
He added: “Even though she used to ring me to complain about being referred to as ‘Callum Simpson’s sister’, I know she loved the hype.
” I will continue to make her proud. Love you always.”
Ahead of his title defence on Saturday, January 11, 2025, Callum opened up about his little sister and the tribute he plans to pay her in the ring.
He said: “People only die when you stop talking about them and forget about them.
“I will never stop talking about her.
I love to speak about her and I have a tribute to her on my kit for this next fight
Callum Simpson
“I will always say her name.
“Although it makes me upset, whenever anyone says her name or speaks about her, I smile and I laugh.
“Because I am just proud that she was my sister.
“I love to speak about her and I have a tribute to her on my kit for this next fight.
“Barnsley football club did a minute’s applause for her just after she passed away.
“I am glad everyone gets to see her beautiful face and see how beautiful she was.”
Sadly, the the six months since Lily-Rae’s passing have left the fighter mourning the many milestones they will no longer get to enjoy together.
He explained: “It was the first night of her girl’s holiday in Zante, she was on the back of a quad bike and it went around a corner too fast and she went over a verge and came off.
“She was airlifted form Zante to Athens and was then in a coma there for 10 days.
“And there were difficulties with an operation they were trying to do at the end of that and she sadly passed away.
“Other than her not being here, it’s seeing what it’s done to the family, my dad and step-mum and brothers and sisters.
“Knowing that she won’t be a bridesmaid at my wedding.
“Or be an aunty to my kids and they won’t get to meet her.”
