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A team will tomorrow undertake a 40-mile trek
through rugged Cumbrian countryside in memory of a keen sportsman who died
tragically aged 25.
The seven members of "Team Jedi" have christened
their Keswick to Barrow challenge 'A Walk for Chris Haw', after the young
man whose life was claimed by Brugada Syndrome last July.
Among their number will be Chris' dad, local
fire-fighter Steve Haw, and all sponsorship money raised will be donated to
the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).
Steve, 44, said CRY works to raise awareness about
conditions such as Brugada Syndrome - a condition that leads to increased
risk of sudden cardiac death - and provide assistance to families.
Steve said: "Something like eight young people a
week are dying suddenly without any symptoms.
"It's a horrific figure. And it hardly gets
highlighted, only at high profile times such as when the former Manchester
City player Marc-Vivien Foe collapsed in the middle of a match four years
ago."
Chris, from Landsdowne Road, collapsed on June 3,
2006, at Man to Man menswear store in Lord Street, where he worked alongside
studying for a business and marketing degree at Edge Hill University,
Ormskirk.
More than 700 people paid their respects to the
popular student at his funeral at Holy Trinity Church.
Steve said that himself, Chris' mum Lesley,
brother Jack, 17, and sister Jeni, 20, had all been tested and supported by
renowned consultant cardiologist Dr Sanjay Sharma, and his staff at The
Lewisham Hospital in London.
The other Team Jedi members are Steve and Diane
Birchall, Darren Askew, Ian MacDonald, Gary Andrews and Phil Barton.
Steve Birchall completed the Keswick to Barrow
Challenge last year and it was he who gave Steve Haw the idea of 'A Walk for
Chris.'
Steve Birchall, a director of Halsall-based Care
Concern NW Ltd, said: "It's a walk through beautiful countryside, with about
30 per cent on all-terrain.
"It's a cracking event and is difficult but
achievable."
A number of fundraising events in Chris' memory
have already taken place around the town, including 'The Jedi Festival' - a
musical tribute organised by Ross Perkins and Ritchie Hardie from the
Underground bar - and the Liverpool-Leeds canal bike ride by dad Steve and
Chris' friends Tom Fletcher, Nicky Wilde, Steve Aspin and George Cutts.
Sponsorship is still being accepted by Team Jedi.
If you want to pledge to CRY, call Steve Haw on 07838 655 624, or email
steve-haw@mersey-fire.gov.uk

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