Jersey woman describes 'massive shock' of brother's sudden death

Katherine Vardon said she thought police had the wrong house when they said her brother had died

A Jersey woman who lost her 30-year-old brother to Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) has described it as a "massive shock".

Katherine Vardon said when police visited her late at night to inform her she thought "they had the wrong house".

Ms Vardon, who said her brother Robert was the life and soul of a party, wants to raise awareness of the condition.

The British Heart Foundation said about 500 people were affected each year in the UK.

The charity said SADS, which is also known as Sudden Adult Loss Syndrome, is caused by an abnormal heart rhythm known as an arrhythmia that affects the heart's electrical system.

'Proud of me'

A spokesperson added: "We are very sorry to hear about the death of Katherine's brother Robert...

"Inherited heart conditions are often the .cause of SADS and thanks to BHF-funded research we are starting to understand more about the causes of SADS and working hard to try and find out who might be at risk so they can be treated in time."

Mr Vardon died in April.

"It was a massive, massive shock," his sister said.

"I had only spoken to him a couple of days before... He was cheeky and would help anyone out. He would give his last £5 to anyone who needed it.

"He was brilliant with my daughter, he always encouraged her and had so much time for her."

Mr Vardon's death came a few weeks after Ms Vardon's first white collar boxing match, which he couldn't watch but had promised to come to her next fight.

She is now training for her next match, which will be in her brother's memory.

"I think he would be proud of me and I know he will be there on the night with me," she said.

The match on 17 November will raise funds for Mind Jersey - a cause Ms Vardon said her brother was passionate about.

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