Family fight to get children screened for heart problems
TEEN SON DIED FROM UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION IN 2007
THE family of a 14-year-old boy who died from a heart condition is fighting to ensure the same thing does not happen to others.
Tom Clabburn was a Year 10 pupil at Drayton Manor High School, Ealing, when he died of an undiagnosed heart problem in 2007.
Since his death, close to 3,000 children and young people have been screened for similar conditions thanks to his family and a specialist charity.
Paul Clabburn first established the Tom Memorial Fund in 2007 with his wife Claire Prosser after son Tom died in his sleep.
The ex-BBC journalist, who lived in Ealing before moving to Chiswick, changed the name to the Tom and Claire Memorial Fund after Claire also died from a heart condition in December 2014.
Remembering her brother’s life, Tom’s sister Ellen Clabburn said: “He was very funny, loved to write and make up plays and was obsessed with football.
“He was a big Tottenham fan and played for his local team too.
“He was the best big brother you could ever ask for.
“He was so special and kind. Everyone liked him and got on with him.”
The last screenings were in November 2019 and they have not been done since then due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In the UK, 12 young people aged between 14 and 35 die of an undiagnosed heart condition every week, making the screenings vital.
On October 4, the eve of the anniversary of Tom’s death, the charity announced that free Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) screenings, sponsored by Tom and Claire’s Fund, will begin again in Ealing.
They will take place at the Trailfinders Sports Club on Sunday November 7.
Tom’s dad Paul said: “The screenings are a vital part of Tom’s legacy and we are so pleased that they can restart after being halted by the pandemic.
“We are incredibly grateful to Trailfinders for making their facilities available and to all those who have continued to donate to the Fund. We couldn’t do it without you.”
Tom, who attended Little Ealing Primary and Drayton Manor High schools, was also involved in
Questors Youth Theatre and played for Hanwell Town Youth FC.
A simple way to diagnose most cardiac abnormalities is a painless procedure called an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is used to record the electrical activity of the heart.
Screenings of this nature are extremely important due to the number of fit and healthy young people dying suddenly each week through undetected heart conditions.
CRY aim to reduce that through screenings and research as well as offering support post diagnosis and for bereaved families.