The family of a man from Salford who died just months before his wedding said his death left them with an 'unfillable void'.
Robert Golding's siblings faced 'the worst moment of their life' when they got the call that he had passed away suddenly with no obvious cause of death in February 2021.
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The family waited four months to find out Robert, who was just 29, died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), a sudden and unexplained cardiac arrest that proved fatal.
Robert has since been described as the one who 'made people fall in love with him for just being there'. The fit and healthy fiancé was always 'happy and cheerful'.
Robert’s sister, Nicola Walsh, from Wardley, said the sudden death of her younger brother 'with no real explanation' had left their family and friends behind with an 'unfillable void'.
“The pain of losing a loved one to SADS is unimaginable. One day they are happy, and healthy, sending you boxset recommendations, and the next day they are gone with no real explanation. Losing Rob has left us with an unfillable void and a mountain of unanswerable questions that we must carry with us.
"He had his whole life to live - it didn't make sense to us, how could somebody that healthy disappear overnight? You have to learn to live with the fact there should be no reason for them to be gone.
"His wedding was set for May 2021, and having to face that day - what should have been one of his happiest - without him, was cruel and difficult for us to come to terms with," the 36-year-old told the Manchester Evening News.
Robert was described as the 'one that made us laugh uncontrollably, made us look bad in front of our parents, and made people fall in love with him just for being there'. The family said they have continued over the last 14 months to adjust to the silence they have been left with.
Nicola and sibling Chris Golding, 34, have now chosen to run the TCS London Marathon, on April 23, and tackle the gruelling 26-mile course this Sunday to raise money and awareness for the cardiac charity SADS UK in memory of their brother.
"We made a decision that everything we do in life is done for Robert. We get to continue to live for him - and what better way to celebrate that, than to complete the London Marathon,” Nicola said.
The pair chose to support SADS UK which helps areas of education, research, prevention and resuscitation, and provides information about the condition. The charity promotes the warning signs that when shown could indicate a person may be at risk, prompting them to seek medical advice and treatment if appropriate.
SADS UK also installs defibrillators in schools and widely in the community. The family have raised a huge amount of almost £12,000 so far through various fundraising events.
"I have dedicated myself now to supporting SADS UK in the hope that nobody has to go through what we have been through. I run for Rob, and for all those who have been affected by sudden cardiac death. We are not alone, and we will live for those we have lost," she said.
Nicola admits that she has actively 'avoided running at all costs', but wanted to challenge herself and raise funds out of her usual comfort zones.
"We're exhausted and can't wait for it to be over with. It was a very spontaneous decision! But we've been raising money through various means and it comes from something in the way losing Rob has changed us, the running and gaining something from the pain."
Anne Jolly MBE, Founder of SADS UK, said: “The charity is grateful to our dedicated fundraisers who raise awareness and funds through events held. SADS UK is very grateful to Nicola for her kind support in taking on the TCS London Marathon on 23rd April.
"We know the challenge involves a lot of training and dedication leading up to the day. The funds raised will enable the charity to continue our work. We wish Nicola all the best for the day which we know will be an amazing day in London.”
Nicola can be supported here on their SADS UK fundraising page. Further information about SADS can be found on the SADS UK website.
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