Widow of ex-Lincoln City star Richard Butcher brings free heart screening to city

Young people are being offered heart screening at free sessions set up by the widow of a former Lincoln City star.

Sarah Butcher has organised the event after her husband, Richard, died of a rare heart condition in January, 2011. He was 29.

The midfield ace enjoyed three separate spells with the Imps but died when he was a player for Macclesfield Town.

He was found dead at his home seven months after marrying Sarah. Now, Mrs Butcher is determined to raise awareness of heart issues among the young - with help from cardiac charity CRY.

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The screenings will take place at The Showroom, Tritton Road, Lincoln, on Wednesday, January 30. Screening specialists will be available from 9am to 3.50pm to provide tests for anyone aged 14 to 35.

Mrs Butcher said: "We just want to prevent another family from going through the heartbreak we had to endure.

"Since Richard's death, myself, family, friends, Richard's footballing team-mates from various clubs and fans have organised and completed numerous events in his memory.

"All of this has contributed to enabling us to fund the cardiac screening. This specialised screening session is a first for Lincoln and I am proud that it is being held using money raised from the Richard Butcher Memorial Fund.

"CRY is a charity that aims to prevent and reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac deaths among young people throughout the UK. The charity is constantly conducting research into sudden cardiac deaths in the young.

"They travel the country with the screening team offering the facilities we are bringing to Lincoln.

"The charity also offers essential bereavement support to families affected by this."

Statistics reveal 12 fit and healthy young individuals die suddenly from an undiagnosed cardiac defect every week in the UK, according to CRY.

Mrs Butcher added: "After losing Richard and then becoming aware of the frequency of these tragedies, I feel really passionate about raising the awareness of this silent killer. By using the monies raised in Richard's memory, funding and offering a screening session locally that could potentially prevent another family losing a loved one is enabling me to turn a devastatingly negative into something quite positive."

The Echo revealed in August how Mrs Butcher had also launched a new wedding business, Brightside Hire, in memory of Richard.

To book a screening appointment, visit www.testmyheart.org . Bookings must be made before January 30.

There will be free parking and refreshments available on the day.