Tributes have been paid to a “kind and laid back” man who died suddenly at the age of 30. James Sheppard, who lived in Sherwood, died from Sudden Arrythmic Death Syndrome [SADS] on April 17 last year.
SADS is a type of young sudden cardiac death when someone dies suddenly and unexpectedly from a cardiac arrest – but the cause can’t be found. James’ death came as a total shock for his friends and family as he seemed totally healthy and had no symptoms of cardiac abnormalities.
James started dating his partner Sophie Turner in early 2016 and, in the five years that they knew each other, the pair never had an argument – she described him as “the best partner she could have asked for”. Now, coming up to what would have been James’ 32nd birthday on June 21, Sophie remembers the effect he had on her life during their time together.
Since his death, Sophie has launched a website where people can look at James’ art and photography, read his articles, and listen to his podcast and Spotify playlists, so that his work can be shared more widely. She has also set up an online shop to sell prints of his art, with all proceeds going to the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) – you can visit the website here.
“Unfortunately he died less than a year after he got into art, but we’re lucky to have some beautiful pieces to remember him by, which we’re now selling as prints to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young.”
His friends and family are currently trying to put on free cardiac screenings for young people in Nottingham, which will hopefully take place in Sherwood where Sophie and James lived together. A coroner couldn’t find any pre-existing conditions after James’ death, but sometimes these can only be picked up via an electocardiogram [ECG] when someone is still alive – which is why his loved ones say screenings are so important.
They have been raising money ever since his death, so far raising nearly £4,000 of their £7,500 target. Anyone who wants to donate to the Justgiving page can do so by clicking here. For more information about SADS, please click here.
