FOR the Shaw family, "there are no words" that can describe the 13 months since their son, Richard, died with no explanation for his "sudden adult death".
But they are comforted knowing that his heart is in the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, helping with research into the condition which kills 12 people a week.
It is available to make comparisons with other hearts, which have come from people who have suffered sudden adult death, to see if there are any common problems.
His mother, Molly, and sister, Wendy Akers, are doing their bit for research by taking part in a sponsored walk in London on Sunday in aid of CRY – Cardiac Risk in Young People.
Former Derby Telegraph printer Richard Shaw was 47 when he collapsed while chatting with Mrs Shaw and died without gaining consciousness five days later in hospital.
An inquest decided that Richard, who was married with two young children, had suffered sudden adult death – meaning that the cause of his demise could not be identified. The coroner ordered that his heart should be sent for tests to specialist centre the Royal Brompton, where it is still being kept to be checked out for anomalies.
Richard's father, Vic, speaking at the family home in Ilkeston, said: "We are glad that the coroner suggested this action because we would have been in no good emotional position to give the go-ahead or otherwise.
"We are glad now that his death might not have been in vain but with people dying every week in a similar way, then it is important to find out why."
Richard, who was said to be a "fit young man", had initially collapsed about a month earlier without any explanation.
Mr Shaw said: "Richard had just started a new job about three weeks earlier and had been working night shifts. He was drinking a cup of tea in the kitchen when, without warning, he collapsed. An ambulance was called and he was taken to the Royal Derby Hospital where he spent the night.
"We visited the next morning and while we were there, he passed out and he had to be resuscitated. Apparently at one stage his heart was registering 300 beats a minute."
Richard was kept in hospital and tests were carried out to discover what was wrong with him without success.
He was allowed out of hospital after three weeks, prescribed beta blockers and told to carry on as normal as there did not seem to be anything obvious wrong with him.
Mr Shaw, 67, said: "He had a holiday booked but he still did not feel right, he said.
"He felt there was something wrong with him and he spent about a fortnight feeling very afraid of being left on his own. He wanted someone to be with him at all times, probably because he was afraid of collapsing again."
On May 24, 2013, he was talking to his mum when he collapsed again. The ambulance crew worked on him but could not bring him round and he was taken to hospital.
Fighting back tears, Mrs Shaw, 70, said: "At one point, it seemed that he could be coming round but he never did and he was declared dead on May 29.
"I think he died really when he collapsed five days earlier because we were never able to speak to him. And when we were told that no one knows why he died, it just made everything so much worse.
"There are no words to describe how we felt then and how we still feel now. He always led a healthy life. Richard was a perfect baby who slept and fed on cue when he came home from the hospital.
"We lost a son, Wendy lost a brother and his wife lost a husband and father. And his many acquaintances lost a really good friend.
"We do not want people to go through what we have done. The more research that can be done, the better and maybe one day, it will be realised why some people are more prone to this happening than others."
Richard, who went to Dallimore Primary School and then Kirk Hallam Secondary School, worked as a printer and was at the Derby Telegraph for 11 years.
For Wendy, 45, who spoke to her brother in person or on the phone every day, his loss has been very difficult.
She said: "As the older sibling, there was never a time he wasn't around. His death has meant we have all also been tested, in case Richard's condition is genetic. As a result, doctors have identified a possible palpitation problem with my eldest son, who is teaching in Hong Kong.
"So when he returns home, the doctors want to fit him with a small monitor that registers changes in heart rate. I really want him to come back soon because I will feel better knowing he is being monitored.
"But no one can say this is anything that is linked to Richard's death although at least any potential problem is being picked up."
Mrs Shaw and Wendy are looking forward to taking part in the Heart of London Bridges Walk, which covers about five miles, crossing routes over the Thames. Mr Shaw will back them up with a steady water supply and moral support.
Mrs Shaw said: "We have already raised £900 in memory of Richard and, obviously, we are hoping to raise more money. We know Richard had some good friends, who still meet to remember him every couple of months. We would like to do fundraising regularly but you can only ask people for money in sponsorship every now and again.
"But it is more important to us that sometime there will be answers as to why Richard died. It does make us feel better that his heart could be helping to make this possible and that our fundraising efforts will help too."
Anyone who wishes to donate to Richard's fund can do so at virginmoneygiving.com/ richardshaw65
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