Mum’s 8k walk in memory of Jolene
A woman who lost her daughter to heart disease at just 36 years old is taking on a 8k walk to raise money in her memory.
Barbara Friel’s beloved daughter Jolene Richardson passed away in 2019, leaving behind four children.
Barbara says Jolene’s family is still trying to come to terms with her death from ischemic heart disease and as well as raising money for charity, she also wants to make everyone aware that young people can also fall victim to the condition.
And so on Saturday, she will take part in a 8k walk in Livingston to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
Barbara, who lives in Pumpherston, told the Courier her daughter is missed every day by her grieving family, adding her Jolene“could light up a room with her smile.”
She said:“Jolene passed away in November 2019 and I’ve still not really come to terms with it. I still think I’ll wake up and it’s been a dream.
“We didn’t know anything about this disease at all, we didn’t even know she had it.
“Jolene had been in hospital and she took a picture of the monitor she was on and her heart rate was up to 240, so I knew there was something wrong then.
“Then she got home and then the night before this happened apparently she went to bed with her boyfriend, he woke up, made her a cup of tea and when he went up she had passed away.
“Jolene’s dad’s side of the family did have heart disease, which I only found out about after this happened.”
Barbara said in the period leading up to her death, Jolene - who lived in Manchester - had been suffering from mental health issues and had gained weight.
She said she hopes telling Jolene’s story will help raise awareness of how the condition can strike in younger people.
Barbara continued: “I’ve got other daughters and nieces who are asking,‘is this going to happen to us?’- especially her sister.
“Once covid is all over she’ll go and get her heart tested.”
On the walk, Barbara said she will be joined by Jolene’s cousins and sisters.
She added:“There will be six of us doing the walk and we’ll all be socially distanced. We’re starting from the car park at the civic centre at the side of the Almond and we’re going round twice, so it’ll probably end up being 10k we’ll do.”
James Jopling, head of BHF Scotland, said: “Heart and circulatory diseases cause around 50 deaths each day in Scotland and across the country an estimated 700,000 people are living with the daily burden of these conditions.
“Our research to help save and improve lives is only made possible thanks to the generosity of wonderful supporters like Barbara, and we need the public’s support now more than ever. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is the biggest challenge the BHF has ever faced.
“Our income has been devastated by the closure of our shops during lockdown and the cancellation and postponement of fundraising events. Barbara’s inspirational efforts will help us make a difference and we cannot thank her enough for supporting us at this critical time.”
To donate to Barbara and her family visit https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fb id=2948650338693275 &id=100006450120786