The family of a Doune teenager who tragically died of a rare heart condition have been praised at Scottish Parliament for their awareness raising and fundraising efforts.
Callum Ferrier, described as fit and “sports-mad”, was aged just 16 when his dad Gilbert found him dead in bed.
The popular McLaren High School pupil was later found to have died of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle.
His family have since raised more than £30,000 for the Cardiomyopathy Association in the hope of helping other families avoid similar tragedy.
As well as regular charity ceilidhs, Callum’s brothers Sean, Darren and Neil have raised thousands of pounds through a host of events including 10k runs, half and whole marathons, and even a 64-mile charity trek in the Sahara Desert in 2012, as well as challenges in Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China.
This week, Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed lodged a motion at the Scottish Parliament congratulating the Ferrier family on their “incredible efforts” raising £30,280.90 for Cardiomyopathy UK since Callum’s death on February 12, 2008.
The motion also praised a number of individuals and businesses who have supported the family’s fundraising.
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Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. It affects the structure of the heart and reduces its ability to pump blood around the body. It affects around 1 in 250 people in the UK.
Speaking in the Holyrood chamber, Ms Tweed said: “Callum Ferrier was a tall, happy young man. He played shinty and had just taken up rugby. With hopes of becoming a motor mechanic he had his whole life ahead of him.
“In 2013, 16-year-old Callum went to bed with a sore head. He was found the next day by his father, having died in the night.
“His tragic and untimely death devastated his mother, his father and his three brothers.”
The SNP MSP said through their efforts Callum’s family was now “honouring his legacy” and raising awareness.
“The charity is working to extend its offering in Scotland but they need volunteers to develop peer groups and provide advocacy.
“The story of Callum, who was young, active and a keen rugby player, is sadly not unique. According to the British Heart Foundation, at least 12 people under 25 in the UK die from an undiagnosed heart condition every week.
“With diagnosis and treatment, those tragic deaths can be prevented.
“However, Dr Steven Cox, chief executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) says there are no signs or symptoms in 80 per cent of cases of cardiomyopathy - because, for many, the first indication of the condition is death. Awareness and access to screening programmes are therefore vital.
“CRY screens around 27,000 young people every year for free.
“Free screenings are, however, booked up quickly, with well over a million people in Scotland aged 14 to 35, a more sustainable and far reaching screening strategy is required.
“Although cardiomyopathy is frequently undetected, it is possible to diagnose it. Doctors use scans and test such as electrocardiograms, echocardiograms and magnetic resonance imaging, and once diagnosed the condition can be managed through lifestyle, medication or surgery.
“Diagnosis for family members is also available on the NHS due to the genetic nature of the condition.”
Symptoms can go unnoticed or remain mild, or they can get worse over time. They include breathlessness, chest pain and feeling faint or light-headed; the abdomen, legs and feet may become swollen; and the rhythm of the heart may be abnormal.
However, Cardiomyopathy UK found that 73 per cent of patients with symptoms did not associate their symptoms with a heart problem and many spent a long time in primary care before diagnosis suggesting more awareness was needed amongst healthcare professionals.
Ms Tweed said: “There is plenty of information on cardiomyopathy out there, but only for those who know to look for it.
“A page on NHS Inform to highlight the condition to parents and young people who may be googling symptoms would go some way to bridging the gap.
“Morag, Callum’s mum, said ‘If as a family we do nothing else, we are raising awareness of this silent killer’.
“They hope that their work prevents other families from going through the heartache they still go through over Callum’s untimely death.”
Tory Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart congratulated Ms Tweed for bringing the matter to the chamber.
Mr Stewart, co-convener of the cross-party group on heart and circulatory diseases, said: “Although I acknowledge this awful event happened almost exactly 15 years ago, I know from personal experience that no number of years can cushion that type of loss in such terrible and unexpected circumstances.
“There can be no real symptoms at all and individuals can feel completely well before a tragic situation occurs.
“That makes the Ferriers’ fundraising achievements even more substantial and extraordinary.”
