Angela has donated two heart monitors and other monitoring equipment in memory of her son Colin. Numerous articles have been published in magazines and the press and Angela remains dedicated to raising awareness about SADS, donating funds raised through her fundraising events and the book she wrote, ‘Life Without Colin – A Living Hell, to SADS research fund. She was nominated for a ‘Winning Women’ Award.

If you’d like a copy of Angela's book please contact SADS UK info@sadsuk.org

Ashley Livesey died at the age of only 15. Since that time his parents set up a team of dedicated people to raise awareness and fundraise in his memory. Completing gruelling Coast to Coast rides and holding benefit nights in his memory, they have already donated a heart monitor in his memory and their commitment is ongoing to prevent such tragic loss of life.

Daniel’s mother Karen Reece has raised much awareness about SADS after the sudden death of 14 year old Daniel. Karen and her family were filmed for the programme ‘wife swap’, where mothers change their daily roles and stay with another family. Daniel died the day after filming. The last day of Daniel’s life was captured on film. There is nothing to suggest there was anything wrong with Daniel as he jumps on his trampoline with his brother, sister and mother.

Dean Grey was just 17 years old when he died from SADS in 2003. His mum Marie Watts and his good friend Chloe Gifford have been raising funds for a heart monitor to be placed at the hospital where Dean was born.  They held a Gansters and Molls fancy dress evening as a tribute to Dean.  Many of Dean's friends came along to the evening to remember Dean.  In a separate event the Pizza Hut where Dean used to work part time also dressed up and asked customers to make donations and purchase raffle tickets. 

Joe was a talented musician and drummer, he died at the age of only 15yrs old. His mother Annette opened a memorial fund for Joe and has skydived to raise awareness and funds. His parents have organised musical events in his memory which have been widely attended. The Brandon Buzz where groups take part playing and where Jo himself had performed was a fitting tribute to Joe.

Jonathan's mother Lin MacKenzie donated a heart monitor to her local surgery as a tribute to her fit and healthy son who died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 17 whilst taking part in on an army training exercise.

Samuel's mother, Wendy advocates that young people should have their hearts monitored for possible defects and has devoted much of her time writing to government agencies and backing the Parliamentary Campaign to help save young lives, in memory of her son Samuel.  Wendy has set up a charity and is raising funds in memory of Sam to provide cardiac equipment to her local hospital.

Ryan Bothamley died at the age of only 15.  He was an exceptional football player and was a top goal scorer for his school.  Just prior to his death he had undergone trials for Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham United.  Ryan's parents Julie and Paul Carder have held football tournaments and many other events in his memory.  Through their hard work and determination, together with support of the community, they have donated cardiac equipment to detect abnormalities of the heartbeat to assist health professionals in evaluating individuals who may require specialist investigation.

It was concluded that 18 year old Sean Higgins died from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome.  Several reports in newspapers mistakingly reported that Catherine MacDonald's beloved son Sean Higgins died in a motorbike accident.  Unfortunately we can all make assumptions, but in the case of accidents and SADS, its important to know how the accident occurred, especially if there are mysterious circumstances.  Sean was stationary at a junction when he collapsed.  A Potential hereditary cardiac condition could also cause a person to have an accident and other family members could also be at risk.  Further investigations in Sean's family proved this to be the case.  Sean's mother and sister are now raising awareness about SADS.

Luke Mason's premature death  was subsequently put down to suffering from the Long QT Syndrome.  His mother was told that he would grow out of the faints he had experienced prior to his death.  Since this time Joy has done much to raise awareness about the condition, including highlighting arrhythmia at Parliament, by attending the Arrhythmia Awareness Reception in May 2004.  She has arranged many raising awareness and fundraising events, the most recent a celebration of Luke's life on what would have been Luke's 21st Birthday.  Luke's school, Bishop Wand School hold an annual memorial football match in his memory.
16/2/07 

Joe died on the 16th July 2005, he was a fit and healthy 15 year old.  Everything Joe did, he did with 100% effort and always with a smile on his face. He was many things to so many people but we shall never forget the loving son and brother who made us all so proud. He was the best we could have wished for and while we feel privileged to have been his family, we can never fill the huge hole his death has left in our lives.

JOE, YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE!
Tracey and Stephen Spooner

Scott's mother Carole, together with those who knew and loved Scott, fundraised and donated two heart monitors in 2003 in his memory. Carole continues to raise awareness in her community and amongst colleagues at the hospital where she works.

Geoff and Noreen Hoare raise amazing funds from sponsored walks they organize and take part in memory of their son Ben. With so many supporters and through their commitment they have already placed many heart monitors and an AED in their community. Geoff received an award for the voluntary work he carried out supporting SADS UK in the community 

Margaret and her husband Brian struggled to understand why their fit and healthy postman son Colin should die so suddenly and unexpectedly and an article was published in the SADS Newsletter. Together with Colin’s girlfriend Carol they have heightened awareness of SADS in their area.

Ross was just 15 when he passed away and Ross's mother Jane's support has been ongoing since her article in the SADS Newsletter in 2001. Each Year a cricket match is held in memory of Ross and Jane has taken the opportunity to speak about SADS and the conditions that can cause a Sudden Adult/Arrhythmia Death.

Jamie’s mum Josie Coffey dedicated a memorial bench to the park where he died very suddenly and unexpectedly when he was playing football. The plaque on the bench reads ‘you can sit on me but don’t forget me’. Josie said ‘the plaque we’ve put on the bench is typical of something Jamie would say – he was very humorous – I hope people will use the bench and remember Jamie as the lovely  boy that he was’.  Jamie was only 17 years old when he died. Josie inspired those around her and fundraised to also donate a heart monitor in his memory to help safeguard others.

David Irons is the son of SADS UK Trustees Barrie and Brenda Irons. David sadly died from SADS at the age of 13yrs old in 1979. Brenda and Barrie came to the 1st International SADS Conference at the Royal College of Physicians in 2002. They said for the first time since David’s death they had gained solace by meeting and speaking with other families and learning more about the conditions.

Craig Johnson was a student at Leeds University when he died suddenly at 21 years of age.  His parents Jean and Ian committed themselves to raise awareness and fundraise in his memory and have donated heart monitors locally to try to detect those at risk of SADS so that they may be treated.  Jean said she would do anything to prevent parent's going through the same nightmare as themselves.

Tom was 16 when he passed away, Lin, Tom's mother, wrote a book of Poems ‘Calling Owls’, the proceeds of which she donated to SADS UK.  She held fundraising events and donated a heart monitor to her doctor’s surgery last year.

Lin facilitated the Bereavement workshop at the 1st International SADS Conference held at the Royal College of Physicians in 2002. Lin presented at the Daventry Conference, together with Kate Shepherd about the wonderful pilgrimage they undertook with, Julie and Delyth their fellow pilgrims.

Guy was only 16 when he passed away and Kate, Guy's mum, gained a lot of support when she undertook a Pilgrimage in memory of her son Guy. She found the Pilgrimage therapeutic and forged friends for life. 

Jonathan Leigh died in his sleep at the age of only 20 years old.  He was a talented semi professional footballer and was photographed with footballers Ian Rush and Matthew Le Tissier after scoring four goals in a charity match and being presented with a bottle of champagne. Jonathan went to Kings High School and Pontefract New College. He won lots of trophies and represented the North of England at Wembley in 1996. The Jonny Leigh Memorial Fund has been set up to help fund much needed research into cardiac conditions that may cause SADS. Jonathan’s parents David and Isobel are raising awareness of potentially lethal conditions, both with the medical services and the general public.

Craig's mother Anne included an article about Craig in the Spring 2002 SADS Newsletter. She spoke of her long wait to find out why Craig had died and his death certificate eventually reading ‘Adult Death Syndrome - Open Verdict’. She explains the agony waiting to find out the verdict and the heartbreak of losing her only son so suddenly and unexpectedly.     

Lisa Ellis ran the 10K in memory of her boyfriend Andrew Mitchell who died from SADS. It was a major undertaking as Lisa said ‘running is not my strong point, when I was at school I would avoid the ‘cross-country’ at any cost! Lisa was pleased with completing in 1hour 8 minutes and said that thinking of Andrew kept her going. She felt this helped her achieve something positive in the light of great sadness.