Tara Field – Kent

My name is Tara Field and I am the eldest from a family of 5 children. My family consists of Dad (Ray), Mum (Pauline), Tom, Tiffany and Tasmin.

My other sister Therese died suddenly aged 16 years.

Therese, Tom and myself had been on holiday at Butlins in Minehead with our Church. On the 4th day I had seen Therese and had been chatting to her. We went our separate ways and 2 minutes later she collapsed and never regained consciousness. She was airlifted to hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

We have never had a specific cause of death, which has been so hard to deal with. Until that day she had been a healthy fit girl who enjoyed dancing and sport. We could not understand how someone can just die and the doctors cannot know why.

We thought that what happened to Therese was very rare until my Mum saw Alison Cox on ‘This Morning’ talking about CRY.

It has been wonderful to find CRY because it shows we are not alone and it has given us something positive in our lives. I find a lot of comfort in raising money and awareness for CRY because it helps me feel that I am helping other families in the same situation as mine, that I am trying to stop this happening to other people like Therese, and also keeping her memory alive.

I am a dancer and have raised money by putting on 2 charity shows, a memorial evening for Therese where we showed video footage and photos of her and a sponsored bag pack at TESCO where I was temporarily working. The local choir I belong to has raised money at their carol concerts. Doing all of this helps me to feel like I am doing something for Therese.

I miss Therese more each day. She was beautiful, so full of life, loving, kind and funny – and should not have died. I do believe that she is alive in a far greater place but it will never stop me wanting her here with all my family and friends who miss her terribly.

I am very proud to be CRY’s Representative for the South East.
If you would like to contact one of our Representatives or a Bereavement Supporter please call the CRY office at 01737 363222 or e-mail cry@c-r-y.org.uk and we will put you in touch with someone who may be able to help you.