Middlewich mum's campaign buys another defibrillator (From Middlewich Guardian)

Middlewich mum's campaign buys another defibrillator

12:00pm Monday 29th June 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

WHEN Linda Boden lost her son, she could have easily let herself be consumed by grief.

But instead, the 54-year-old embarked on an inspirational mission to raise awareness of the disease that killed him.

Andrew Cliffe died in his sleep on November 12, 2006, of Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) – just weeks after his 26th birthday.

Since then, his mum Linda has campaigned tirelessly to purchase four life-saving defibrillators for Middlewich at a cost of £1,500 each.

After raising more than £7,500, she is delighted that Middlewich Primary School now has the fifth – one of the schools that Andrew attended.

Linda, of Dean Street, said: “It’s hard to put it into words but I came out of the school in tears.

“It’s the nearest I get to my son when I hold that defibrillator as it’s in honour of him.

“It’s all for Andrew. It’s hard emotionally but it’s his legacy and through him other people can be saved.”

Sandy La-Porta, headteacher of the school, added: “We’re very happy to support this whole initiative.

“We recognise the importance of the defibrillator not just for the children but the people who work in the school and visit the school.”

The other defibrillators are at Middlewich High School, which Andrew attended, Cledford School, British Legion and the White Horse.

But Linda’s mission does not end there.

She has recently organised a monthly drop-in session in Sandbach for bereaved parents and hopes to get one set up in Middlewich.

Meanwhile, Linda has already started raising funds for a defibrillator in the Vaults bar on Wheelock Street due to its important location.

Linda, who works across the road at Tesco Express, said: “It’s right in the centre and open morning until late at night right on hand for people to deal with emergencies until paramedics get there.”

She also wants to see a defibrillator in other pubs and schools in the town and at Middlewich Sports Club as people at risk of SADS are often sporty.

“My son was always on his quad bike,” she added.

More than two years on from Andrew’s death, Linda says the work she does to honour his memory is bittersweet.

She said: “I do look on what I do as positive but it emotionally drains me.

“The community has been fantastic – the amount of support helps get me through and is unbelievable.”

When Andrew died, Linda said her 26ft long living room wall was completely covered in cards.

She first started raising money for defibrillators during the folk and boat festival in 2007.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)