Campaign for young victims

Woodplumpton man features on heart charity postcard

A 21-year-old Woodplumpton man who died after suffering a heart attack is to feature in a cardiac charity’s latest campaign.  Andrew  Parr, who was due to marry his fiancée this month, will appear on postcards produced by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). 

The former Broughton High School pupil collapsed in a Preston nightclub last Easter, and later died in hospital.  He had complained of indigestion for around three weeks before he collapsed, and a post mortem examination revealed he had actually suffered a heart attack. 

Awareness

Since his death, Andrew’s family have been working with CRY to raise awareness of the risk of heart problems in young people. 

The postcard, which was due to be launched today, features eight young people from the North West, who lost their lives suddenly to previously undetected heart conditions. 

Many of those affected by sudden cardiac death are struck while taking part in sport or physical activity. 

Andrew’s mother Ruth Lowe, of Whittle Green, Woodplumpton, said eight young people died every week due to heart problems.  She said: “There are so many young people just dying for no apparent cause and it can happen to any young person at any time. 

"Andrew was 21, he had a heart attack but there were not symptoms.  It’s just one of those things.  CRY are campaigning to get screening for young people and some of the cases are hereditary which is why it’s important.” 

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The family discovered the charity after reading an article about a similar case and they attended a Bereavement Support Day organised by CRY. 

Ruth was due to travel to Cheshire for today’s launch with Andrew’s stepfather Dave, his fiancée Gemma Abinett and auntie Susan Cowling. 

Hundreds of the postcards will be distributed by CRY supporters to people in the North West, who will then be urged to send it back to their local MP.  It is hoped they will encourage MPs to add their support to the campaign and join the charity’s All Party Parliamentary Group. 

Ruth said: “Hopefully the flurry of postcards going to them is going to raise their awareness. 

“It’s good to raise awareness in young people because I think young people think they’re immune to it. 

"The advice is if you have bad indigestion or dizzy spells you don’t ignore it.” 

She added that they were hoping to continue their association with CRY. 

Tragedy

She said: “I would find it quite useful meeting with people within the area who’ve gone through the same sort of tragedy.  We’re hoping this will lead to local support groups as well which would be really good.” 

Chief executive and founder of the charity Alison Cox said the eight people featured on the postcard – which is being sponsored by Beach Display Ltd of Cleveleys – showed just a snapshot of the problem. 

She added: “We need to keep up the pressure and engage support from as many MP’s as possible to make sure we can prevent other families from experiencing such tragic losses.”