Pupils at a Belfast school are set to receive potentially life-saving heart scans following a fundraising campaign launched by a Co Antrim woman who lost her brother to a sudden heart condition.
Nicky Adair died from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) in March 2020.
Since his tragic death, his sister Amy Adair-McCourt has been passionate about informing people across Northern Ireland about the hidden dangers of the condition.
The Jordanstown woman has been involved in a fundraising campaign in a bid to gather money to help raise awareness of SADS. She has raised enough funds to allow 100 school pupils to be screened for the invisible disease in the hope of saving lives.
The tests will take place next week at her brother’s former school, Belfast High School, where Amy is one of the board of governors.
“Losing my brother to SADS has been devastating for everyone who loved him,” said Amy.
“He was 38 when he died, he was married and had a one-year-old daughter with another baby on the way.
“That type of loss is almost unimaginable.
“His death could have been prevented with a simple scan and I am so overjoyed to be providing that for these pupils during Heart Month.
“I’m determined to inform as many people as I can about the syndrome and about the simple, non-intrusive scan which can reveal whether someone is likely to be affected.”
Following Nicky’s death, Amy received support from a charity called Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
It screens almost 30,000 people each year, which helps to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, research, and supporting affected families.
“On 29th February, nearly four years after Nicky’s passing, 100 sixth year pupils at Belfast High will undergo a screening of their hearts to check if they have any undetected abnormalities,” she said.
“The screenings, which cost £60 per child, could potentially save lives and stop any further tragedy amongst young people and their families.”
Charlotte Weir, principal of Belfast High School, said the cardiac screening will be carried out on senior pupils.
“The school is able to provide this opportunity thanks to Amy, her husband and friend and in memory of Nick Adair, our former head boy, who sadly passed away from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome,” she said.
Amy added: “This is only the beginning and over the next number of years I hope to encourage schools across Northern Ireland to organise screenings for their pupils and help prevent more heartbreak and loss.
“If we save even one life, Nicky’s death won’t have been in vain.”
To help get more children scanned you can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fornicky
