South Yorkshire firefighter to run marathon in memory of teenage son

Nigel Clark, aged 48 and based at Cudworth fire station, will embark on his first ever marathon next month to raise money for the British Heart Foundation following the death of his 17-year-old son, Adam.

The teenager suffered an unexpected cardiac arrest at home in July 2014 and died a few months later.

His parents Nigel and Beth, plus his sister Rebecca, battled to revive Adam until paramedics arrived to take over, but the teenager suffered a massive brain injury during the heart attack and died in hospital seven months later.

Nigel said: “The last 18 months have been a living nightmare for our whole family.

“Our son Adam was a lively and healthy 16-year-old boy and we have been completely devastated by what has happened to him at such a young age.

“It has been just over a year since we lost him but the pain never really goes away.

“I hope to raise £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation to go towards research to help others as that’s what Adam would have wanted.

“Beth, Rebecca and and myself gave Adam CPR until the paramedics arrived but Adam sustained an hypoxic brain injury due to lack of oxygen. He never fully regained consciousness and sadly passed away in February 2015, aged 17.”

So far Nigel has raised around £830.

Chief Fire Officer, James Courtney, said: “Senior officers and all staff at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are fully behind Nigel and his fundraising efforts. We wish him every luck in his training and hope he raises lots more money for a very worthy cause, which is obviously very close to his heart.”

To find out more and to donate visit www.justgiving.com/nigel-clark12/