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The annual Sebastian English memorial rugby match
was played at the weekend, to pay tribute to the young Haslemere lad, and
raise funds for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity.
Sebastian tragically died while playing rugby for
Haslemere Community Rugby Club two years ago on February 15, 2004, at just
15 years old.
The Sebastian English Memorial Fund was set up in
conjunction with the charity, CRY, a year after his death, to raise funds
and awareness of the rare condition which claims eight young lives every
week.
On Sunday, the Haslemere under-18 Seb XV met at
Woolmer Hill sports ground to play a Cobham under-18 side for the memorial
match.
Before the game, the players each handed a red
rose to Sebastian's mum Steph Hunter, before observing a minute's silence.
Family, friends and old team mates turned out to
watch the match and Haslemere junior and senior rugby teams went along to
lend their support.
Almost two years ago, Sebastian collapsed just
five minutes into a rugby match at Camberley as he jogged to pick up the
ball from the touchline.
Parents and other players looked on in disbelief
as a doctor gave first aid and an ambulance was called when the doctor
realised Sebastian had stopped breathing.
Sadly he was pronounced dead on arrival at Frimley
Park Hospital.
Doctors later said that Sebastian lost his life
because of a rare condition known as sudden cardiac death in the young.
Many people affected by sudden cardiac death are
often struck while taking part in competitive sport or physical activity.
Sebastian was a much-loved member of both the
Haslemere Community rugby team, and his school team.
He attended Lord Wandsworth College in Long Sutton
where teachers and fellow students were devastated by his untimely death.
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