Fundraising in young footballer’s memory will help support research into sudden cardiac death

Money raised by the family and friends of a young Derry man who died suddenly earlier this month will help fund British Heart Foundation (BHF) research into heart conditions that result in sudden death.

Co Derry GAA player Kevin King (22), from Tamnaherin, collapsed suddenly during a game of indoor soccer with friends at Campsie outside Derry on Thursday, 3 November.

Although the cause of Kevin’s death is yet to be confirmed, preliminary findings have shown myocardial fibrosis, when scars form in the heart muscle without an obvious injury and can lead to sudden death.

Less than a month after setting up a Gift of Hope fundraising page Kevin’s family and friends have raised over £6,000 for British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI) research.

The BHF is the largest independent funder of heart research in Britain and the charity is currently funding a number of research projects into myocardial fibrosis and other causes of sudden death.

Professor Houman Ashrafian leads BHF-funded research into myocardial fibrosis at the University of Oxford and is a consultant cardiologist at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital. He thanked the King family and their friends for funding projects like his in memory of Kevin.

He said: “When young people are suddenly lost to a heart condition, it can be devastating and we are so grateful to Kevin’s family and friends for their support at this terrible time.

“Our research is looking for ways to prevent the dangerous scars forming in heart muscle that can cause these tragedies.

“Throughout its 55 year history the BHF has pioneered research that is saving lives from sudden death but there is still much more to be done. It is vital we can continue our research and help prevent any more suffering.”

Kevin’s brother, Martin, said: “Kevin lived life to the full and always made time for anyone. In the past few days we realise how big a gift he was to the wider community who came to say goodbye and send messages of support locally and from afar.

“We are incredibly proud as a family to have called him a son and brother. In memory of Kevin, we would like to start the process of raising funds to help those who research heart conditions such as myocardial fibrosis.

“Professor Ashrafian’s research is just some of the research BHF is funding to help prevent another death like Kevin’s. If we could help prevent another family from experiencing the sudden loss of a loved one, it would be a triumph in this time of sadness.”

To find out more about the BHF’s research visit bhf.org.uk/research or to donate to the campaign in Kevin King’s memory go to giftofhope.bhf.org.uk/In-Memory/Kevin-King