Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Graduates make landmark run in memory of friend
The tragic death of a 19-yearold city student in her sleep prompted five graduates to take part in a charity walk.
Canterbury Christ Church University’s Rebecca Gapes suffered from a previously undiagnosed heart condition and it was in her memory that friends took part in the Heart of London Bridges Walk, organised by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young - known as CRY.
The group, George Scuffham, Rory Wheble, Katharine Green, Mike Freeney and Ben Keech, met with Rebecca’s father, Ilford South MP Mike Gapes, who has become a dedicated supporter of the charity since her death.
Rebecca, who was at the university studying American studies, died in May 2012 at her digs in Warwick Road, Canterbury.
An inquest later heard she had suffered sudden adult death syndrome - a rare condition where the heart mysteriously stops.
The former Christ Church students were among 1,500 people taking part in the walk. It passes by 12 of London’s most famous landmarks, representing the deaths of the 12 apparently fit and healthy young people who die every week in the UK from young, sudden, cardiac death.
Chief executive of the charity, Dr Steve Cox, said: “This event is always a very emotional and poignant day for everyone at CRY and over the years has become increasingly associated with raising awareness and remembering those young people who have died, as well as fundraising.
“We are immensely grateful to Rebecca’s friends for signing up to our Bridges Walk and know that so many people from their local area were supporting them every step of the way.”