FOREWORD WRITTEN BY JOHN AND GWEN EASTWOOD FOR THE FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL PROGRAMME


Dear Friends

We would like to thank everyone who has helped to make today special in the memory of our only son, John Aidan who died on Sunday March 5th 2006, aged 18 from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (Cardiomyopathy).

Our son was a fit and healthy, gentle giant who loved all sports.  He had been head boy at Handsworth Grange School, played in goal for Beighton Magpies Football Club for 10 years, captaining the team in the latter years.  He also captained the school rugby team.

John was a student at college in Lincoln awaiting his "A" Level results in History, Law and Business Studies when he died.  He wanted to go onto university to study American History.  He had so many plans for his life, his driving test was booked for the 6th March 2006 - in fact his closing words on his University application self appraisal were:

"I am not afraid to go out looking for challenges, at the moment I have a part time job as a sales assistant which I enjoy.  I feel this provides me with an inside look of the future and lets me see what and where I intend to go in life"

As John Aidan was 18, we have targeted ourselves to raise £18,000 in our son's memory for C.R.Y (Cardiac Risk In The Young) which is a charity that raises awareness of the condition.  They estimate that 10 young people a week are dying in the UK from Undetected heart conditions.  C.R.Y. is campaigning for routine testing to be introduced into schools to prevent healthy, fit, young people that are our future, dying needlessly like our son.

Today is about enjoying and remembering our son and helping to raise the awareness of undetected heart conditions in the young.

Thanks to everybody for all your help, love and support

John & Gwen Eastwood xx