Pupils get heart-check in memory of classmate

3 hours ago

Benjamin Workman,Malvernand

Suki Glockling,Malvern

News image — Matthew died from a cardiac arrest on Boxing Day in 2024

Chris Notely A young boy wearing a navy blue suit holds a bouquet of flowers in a garden. — Matthew died from a cardiac arrest on Boxing Day in 2024

A couple whose son died after a cardiac arrest at the age of 14 have raised more than £32,000 to enable his former classmates to be screened for heart defects.

It comes after Matthew, Chris Notely and Simone Peake's son, suffered the arrest on Boxing Day in 2024 having shown no symptoms.

After teaming up with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), his Worcestershire parents have raised £32,735 and this week returned to Matthew's school, The Chase High School, in Malvern.

"It's been an emotional couple of days, especially seeing his year group that he would have been in, so that's been hard, but to see the donations turn into the event we've had has been really rewarding," Notely said.

The screening event was held at the school, costing a total of £14,000, with each pupil's check costing £70.

The remaining funds raised will go towards the same event next year, when it is hoped more year groups can benefit from the screening.

A woman wearing a black hoodie stands next to a man in a black t-shirt with a yellow pattern on it. She has tied back dark blonde hair and he has short dark hair and a dark coloured beard. — Matthew's parents said it was "really rewarding" to see the money raised be put into action

Matthew's dad added: "The screenings have picked up issues that they wouldn't have known about before and even the people who have had the all-clear have got the peace of mind they are all-clear."

'It yields results'

According to CRY, at least 12 young people in the UK die suddenly as a result of undiagnosed heart conditions.

Cardiologist Dr Dimitra Maritsa, who works with the charity, said the screening process involved a health questionnaire, a 12 lead ECG recording and a consultation.

A woman with long red hair is pictured wearing a frilly red jumper with a brown notice board behind her and a window to her right side. — Maritsa said 80% of people who die from undiagnosed heart issues show no symptoms

"CRY believes the screening process works, it's quick, it is non-interventional, people do not feel any pain and it yields results," she said.

"All individuals from the age of 14 to 35, young individuals, should have access to screening and it's important to keep this in mind when we know every week 12 apparently healthy individuals die of a undiagnosed heart condition.

"The shocking thing is 80% of these individuals will not have shown symptoms prior to their event."

Maritsa added that any students who were found to have a cardiac defect will be referred to a specialist.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.