My name is Joe Kettle and I would like to share my story with you.
On the evening of 13th December 2005, my best friend Dave Williams aged 16 returned home from a kick boxing session. He told his mother that he had overdone it and his heart rate was just taking a while to get back to normal.
Little did anyone know that it would be the last time anyone saw him alive.
Dave was a cheerful and giving person who always did his best to put other people’s happiness before himself; he always stuck up for what he believed in. He was a caring man who didn’t like to show emotion as he thought this would make other people upset.
Dave and I were very close and shared a lot of things together that even my family don’t know about. He taught me a lot about life and I believe he has made me a better person today.
Dave’s death was recorded as Natural Causes (Sudden Cardiac Death).
He was the best friend ever and when he died it changed my life completely. It is so hard to explain when the one person you share everything with dies.
The one person you randomly call just to chat about rubbish, the one person who makes you laugh when you are down, and that one person who you can call your best friend.
Over the years, I have been in contact with his Mum, Sue Williams, who has consistently been raising money for Cardiac Risk in the Young. I believe it is my time to show her how much Dave meant to me.
So in April 2011, I will be running the London Marathon and raising money in the memory of my friend Dave.
Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions. Cardiac Risk in the Young’s work has been able to prevent deaths similar to Dave’s.
I want to raise awareness with young people, because I can’t explain the feelings I felt. I was just turning 17 at the time and it was so painful to lose someone that close. Every year since his death, I visit his tree which was planted by his Mum in a local park near to where he died.
So please go on my donation site, not just for me but for my friend Dave.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/joekettle
Joe Kettle
