CRY’s screening-based research programme revealed that far from the UK losing eight young lives a week to undiagnosed heart conditions – a terrible figure in itself – the number was actually at least 12.
CRY relaunched its postcard campaign in October 2008 to reflect this and Tom was among those featured. We still find looking at all the young faces on this postcard extremely upsetting.
A year after Tom’s death, Claire narrated a documentary for BBC Radio 4 – Life After Tom, made with the help of producer Linda Pressley.
We hope to be able to make the full documentary available in the future but you can hear excerpts here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7666764.stm
You can also read more of Claire’s thoughts here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7664371.stm
To raise awareness of the heart-related risks facing young people, we marked the first anniversary of Tom’s death by placing an advert in the Tottenham programme for a match that fell on October 5.
This was a personal initiative by the family, no money from Tom’s Fund was used to pay for the advert.
Cardiac Risk in the Young, CRY, have held a Heart of London Bridges Walk every year since the summer of 2007. We walk to remember Tom and all those like him.
At the time of our first walk in July 2008, the eight bridges crossed symbolised the eight young lives believed to be lost every week to undiagnosed heart conditions. Now we know it’s at least 12.
“Team Tom” has walked to raise funds and awareness every year since then. We are grateful to the hundreds of people who have supported us over that period, many of whom have been with us every year.
Tom’s sister, Ellen,helped organise a cake sale in aid of CRY at the school they both attended, Drayton Manor High School in Hanwell.
The event raised £100.
Tom’s last match was a Carling Cup final tie so it seemed right to try to raise awareness at the Carling Cup final.
This was a family initiative, taken before Tom’s Fund was set up, and thus no money from the fund was used in the placing of the advert.
