Robert and Susan Hinchliffe from Conisbrough have presented two London-based researchers with the first ever “Pete Hinchliffe Travel Award for Medics” in association with CRY. Joined by their daughter Sarah and son, Rob, they were proud to present Dr Hari Raju and Dr Michael Papadakis with grants of £500 each, to allow them to travel to international conferences to showcase their research findings, as well as learning from their counterparts within the global research community.
The grants were awarded in a short but moving ceremony within the CRY Centre for Inherited Cardiovascular Conditions and Sports Cardiology at St George’s NHS Healthcare Trust, South London.
Pete Hinchliffe, who worked as a personal trainer, died suddenly in 2010 whilst out cycling, from a previously undiagnosed condition known as Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC). He was aged 33 and tragically died just 6 months after his marriage to Rebecca. Pete, from Balby, was an extremely fit man who had been a semi-professional road cyclist, competing on a local and national level.
Following his death, Pete’s family became involved with CRY, helping to raise funds to support its vital work as well as awareness of sudden cardiac death among young people.
Pete’s sister, Sarah, says; “We were determined to do something positive after Pete died and to ensure that his memory continued to live on. He was such a positive person, always the life and soul of the party and loved and liked by so many.
“He’d have wanted us all to turn this situation into something that could go on to help others, so we’ve worked hard to set up this new travel award, as well as other events such an annual bike ride and trophy, both named after him.”
Both Sarah and their brother, Rob, were screened to check they were not also at risk of an hereditary and underlying heart condition – a message that CRY is always keen to promote among parents, siblings and children, immediately after the sudden death of a young person. Thankfully, both were found to be clear and Sarah went on to run the London Marathon in aid of the charity, wearing a large CRY Heart Costume.
12 young people die every week in the UK from sudden cardiac death, although this is widely believed to be a conservative estimate.
80% of the young people who die from these tragedies have had no symptoms and it is only through screening that the condition can be identified. However, further research into those young people who are at greater risk from these devastating conditions is also vital.
Chief Executive and founder of CRY, Alison Cox MBE adds; “As well as screening, research plays a critical role in helping to better understand and treat these conditions that cause young sudden cardiac death.
“We are very grateful to the Hinchliffe family for establishing this new, annual grant and for awarding it to two of our finest research fellows this year. It is a terrific tribute to Pete and will facilitate our UK researchers sharing information and key findings on the international stage.”
Dr Elijah Behr and Professor Sanjay Sharma
