On Saturday 29th June RUCST will be supporting the Circle of Hope event in Rotherham town Centre.
The family of an ex-footballer who died of heart failure aged just 45 are backing a British Heart Foundation appeal to find a cure for this devastating condition.Richard Fieldsend, who lived in Eastwood, Rotherham, died in Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust Hospital on 10th May, his 45th birthday. He suffered the disabling effects of severe heart failure after a massive heart attack in August last year left his heart badly damaged.
His brother Andrew Kerrison, 49, of East Dene, Rotherham, is supporting the BHF’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal to find a cure for heart failure.
Rotherham became a Heart Town in 2012, creating opportunities to raise awareness of heart health. Andrew will be supporting the town’s Circle of Hope Walk and Fun Run on Saturday 29 June. He will join Councillor John Foden, Mayor of Rotherham at 11am to start the event.
The people of Rotherham are being encouraged to come down and join the walk to show their support for the BHF’s work and to help raise vital funds for the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.
Shortly before he died Richard had made a film with the BHF to highlight the shocking effects of heart failure on his life. The ex-footballer who used to play for Wombwell Town FC, struggled to walk even a few metres using a four-wheeled trolley.
His brother Andrew has given permission for the film to be shown across Rotherham as part of the Heart Town activities. It will be shown on 40 screens in public places, including GP surgeries, to raise awareness of heart disease and the BHF’s work to find a cure for heart failure.
Andrew says:
“My little brother lost his monumental battle for life on the evening of Friday 10 May – it was his 45th birthday.
“We are so happy to agree for Richard’s film to be used as part of the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.
“I am sure that Richard would want that. Richard was so proud to be an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation, and I know if he were with us he would agree.
“It spurred him on, and it was a cause he believed in. That’s why we are continuing to support the Mending Broken Hearts Appeal.
“Richard was a real character and he had incredible determination to live following his heart attack, but his heart was too badly damaged.
“He lived with the terrible effects of heart failure. He would get very breathless and felt he was struggling for air. Although he used to be football mad and he was very fit, after his heart attack it was a struggle for him to walk.
“The Mending Broken Hearts Appeal will fund the researchers who are looking for a cure that will help people living with the effects of heart failure.
“We know the fantastic work the BHF is doing will give hope to others in the future and if someone else can benefit, we want to help make that happen.”
Richard’s friends and family have been raising funds for the BHF in his memory. They organized a tribute charity football match at the Bag Inn pitch on May 25.
People can pre-register for the Circle of Hope Walk and Fun Run at the Rotherham Visitor Centre or bhf.org.uk/rotherhamcircleofhope or they can register on the day from 10am. Entertainment will be provided by the Barnsley Concert Band. Information stalls covering a wide range of services related to heart health will line Effingham Street. The event is free to enter and organisers are encouraging everyone to raise sponsorship for the BHF’s life-saving work.
Rotherham United Community Sports Trust will be attending the event with the inflatable pitch to run a football tournament for young people aged 11-16 during the morning, followed by a kick-up competition in the afternoon. We will be situated at All Saints Square.
For more information on the activities which RUCST will be running during the event, contact Health Officer Alex Wilson on:
Telephone: 01709 827767
Mobile: 07885 461730
Email: health@rotherhamunited.net