The
Cardiomyopathy
Association

The community around Ibstock has rallied round to raise money in memory of a 38-year-old mum who died suddenly and unexpectedly from cardiomyopathy.

Mother-of-two Theresa Dandy, from Ibstock, died in her sleep in 2010.

Her local pub, the Rising Sun at Shackerstone, held a walk in her memory in August and family, friends and workmates from other Ibstock businesses have all contributed donations.

Theresa’s parents Sandra and Merv Dandy (pictured above) have now presented a cheque and other donations totalling £2,288 to the CMA.

The presentation took place at the Rising Sun and the cheque was handed to CMA representative Simon Morgan (pictured right).   Simon, who had a heart transplant in 2005 after developing cardiomyopathy, is among the charity’s network of volunteers who provide one-to-one support to others on the phone or by email.

Sandra said: “Theresa was a beautiful young woman and her death was completely unexpected. The church was so packed at her funeral that there were people outside. It has been wonderful how many local people have supported us and given money in her memory.”

Sandra, who also used the Rising Sun, said the pub regularly held walks for charity and after Theresa died landlord Simon Clough asked if the family would like to hold a walk in her memory.

She said: “We did a 13 mile walk along the canal from Hinckley to Shackerstone.  It was very popular and all the family took part. But many others just gave us donations and we were so grateful.”

Sandra said that donations also came from Merv’s work colleagues, the Jet garage in Ashby Road and the Waggon and Horses pub.  Sandra’s sister Carole Cox also raised £150 from two quizzes at the Plough pub.

Theresa, who had her own cleaning business, lived with her partner Ian and children Keriese, now 20 and Shanie-Beth, 18. 

She died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart muscle to thicken.  This can lead to heart rhythm problems and affect the heart’s ability to pump.   The condition usually runs in families so family members will now receive regular heart checks.

Sandra said her grandmother died suddenly when she was 37 but at the time doctors did not know why.  But they now suspect she also had the condition.