Tom Henson was just 23 years old when his life was cruelly and suddenly cut short in late July 2018. The sport-mad Sheffield United fan had been playing a game of football with friends after work on a summer evening when he collapsed and died having suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Later it was discovered that Tom had a congenital heart condition called supravalvular aortic stenosis, but there had been no signs. Tom was seemingly fit, healthy and full of life – until the day he never came home.

Following his loss the lives of Tom’s loved ones were shattered. But his mum Nikki, brother Joe and step-dad Shaun have devoted themselves in the years since to setting up a charitable foundation in his name, raising money for community defibrillators and Joe – who was only 15 when Tom died - was also inspired to work for the ambulance service. They are also tireless supporters of the work of the British Heart Foundation.

On this episode with Sarah Marsh, Shaun talks bravely about his memories of Tom and his legacy, how the family has coped with crippling grief and yet been inspired to use their experiences to raise vital funds and awareness. This episode was originally published on the sixth anniversary of Tom’s death.

Currently every week in the UK, 12 people under the age of 35 tragically lose their lives to sudden cardiac death. The BHF’s Urgency Campaign is centred around 12 stories of incredible young people whose future hopes and dreams were suddenly lost in an instant because of this condition. Tom and his family’s is one of them. But your donations could help up stop this awful reality. Discover more about the other stories at the heart of our campaign and how you can help here: https://www.bhf.org.uk/

As a charity, the British Heart Foundation depends on the generosity of donors to continue carrying out our lifesaving research. If you too would like to donate, you can do so at bhf.org.uk/donatepod

If you've got any questions or concerns about your heart or circulatory health and want to talk with a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline and you'll find all the contact options there.

And if you’ve got your own heart story, or have any thoughts on this episode, we'd love to hear from you on email at thetickertapes@bhf.org.uk

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At just 22, Faith, an online fitness coach and keen athlete, suffered a devastating heart attack while driving home after playing in a hockey match. In this episode, Faith bravely tells Rob Underwood her story and talks about the impactful heart related challenges she’s since faced along the way. She's also passionate about inspiring others on a similar journey, whilst raising awareness surrounding heart health, particularly among younger people.

For over 60 years, British Heart Foundation has pioneered decades of advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart attack, providing hope to people like Faith. But we have so much more to do. As a charity, BHF depends on the generosity of donors so that we can keep funding lifesaving research into all heart and circulatory diseases. Thank you to all those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so by going to bhf.org.uk/donatepod.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions or concerns about your own heart or circulatory health and would like to talk to a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you'll find all the contact options. Also, if you’d like to share your own heart story, or have thoughts on this episode, do email us at, thetickertapes@bhf.org.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2016 then aged just 7, Harry suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) while playing in an after school football session. Remarkably, his life was saved by the school bursar who quickly responded and tirelessly performed CPR for around 15 minutes until paramedics arrived. Harry was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted. Now, at 15, he enjoys an active, healthy lifestyle and is currently working hard towards his GCSE exams. Harry’s amazing heart ‘journey’ has featured prominently in British Heart Foundation’s February 2023 ‘Heart Month’ campaign, focusing on the importance of learning to perform CPR. In this episode, Harry’s Dad, Alex, passionately shares his son’s story with Rob Underwood and talks about the strength and support the whole family have drawn on over the past eight years, together with their hopes for the future.

For over 60 years, British Heart Foundation has pioneered decades of advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, providing hope to people like Harry. But we have so much more to do. As a charity, BHF depends on the generosity of donors so that we can keep funding lifesaving research into all heart and circulatory diseases. Thank you to all those who already give. If you too would like to donate, you can do so by going to bhf.org.uk/donatepod.

If you have any questions or concerns about your own heart or circulatory health and would like to talk to a cardiac nurse on the BHF’s free Heart Helpline, go to our website at bhf.org.uk/hearthelpline where you'll find all the contact options. Also, if you’d like to share your own heart story, or have thoughts on this episode, do email us at, thetickertapes@bhf.org.uk.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.