A DAD whose son died of a rare heart condition at 25 has finally been able to ask colleagues to help his efforts for a cardiac charity – seven years on.

Paul Padmore’s son, Thomas, died in 2011. He suffered from a genetic disorder called Brugada syndrome, which increases the risk of sudden cardiac death.

Since then, Mr Padmore, 60, from Little Horton, and his family have raised money in Thomas’s memory for the CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) charity.

But it is only now that Mr Padmore has felt able to hold a fundraiser at his workplace, the Department of Work and Pensions in Leeds Road, Bradford, where he works as a benefits processor.

“This is the first time I’ve done anything through the workplace, because it has been difficult for me to actually approach people about it,” said Mr Padmore.

Thomas, who had a young daughter, Rose, worked as a laboratory assistant and was studying for a degree at the time of his death.

Recalling the moment police broke the devastating news to him and his wife, Mr Padmore said: “It was tragic. Our son lived with me and my wife.

“He just went out one day and in the evening we got a knock on the door from the police, who just had some of his belongings and explained what happened.

“It’s impossible to describe.

“We just sat there and we spent the whole night crying and not knowing what to do.”

But the support CRY offered in the time after Thomas’s death was invaluable.

“CRY were very helpful when my son passed away, they actually provided a bereavement service, so I could phone someone up and speak to someone who had gone through a similar situation,” said Mr Padmore.

“It was really, really helpful.

“There’s various things we do each year. There’s a charity walk in London, we go to that every year.

“The charity depends largely upon the goodwill of fundraisers and the generosity of participants.”

The fundraising is made all the more poignant as CRY enables people to set up memorial funds in their loved one’s name.

The one-day event at Mr Padmore’s workplace raised £1,000 for charity.

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Mr Padmore and his colleagues handed over the cheque to CRY representative David Leigh. CRY says there are 12 young sudden deaths per week and the charity works to raise awareness, provide support for affected families and promote screening.

Fundraising helps with screening, research grants, raising awareness and support for those affected and their families.

For more information, visit the charity’s website at www.c-r-y.org.uk.