Leyland caravan park helps mother's 'SADS' campaign

4:10pm Saturday 16th August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

A Preston mother whose son died suddenly of an undetected heart condition has thanked a Leyland caravan park for raising money in his memory.

Andrew Parr was just 21 when he collapsed and died while enjoying a night out in Preston in 2004.

His mother, Ruth Lowe, has since campaigned relentlessly for the Andrew Parr Memorial Fund to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, known as SADS.

Residents at Cuerden Residential Park presented Mrs Lowe with a cheque for £1,000 after sponsoring an evening of Northern Soul music in aid of the fund.

Ruth says the money will help to pay for free ECG screening sessions, which can help spot the potential for heart defects.

She said: “At least eight to ten people die every week, especially in sport.”

SADS was blamed for sudden deaths of Manchester City player Marc-Vivien Foe and Motherwell captain Phil O’Donnell while playing for their clubs.

Ruth is determined to make people more aware of the dangers it causes.

“Sporting activity can lead to problems that cause death if people don’t get themselves checked out,” she added.