Alessandro’s inquest concluded that the probable cause of death was Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS). At no time did Alessandro display any symptoms of a heart condition.
Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions. In 1995 a charity called Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) was formed to address this. Since its inception CRY has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death.
CRY supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by Young Sudden Cardiac Death. It promotes and develops heart screening programmes and funds world leading medical research as well as specialist referral, screening and cardiac pathology services at leading UK hospitals.
To honour Alessandro and to raise money for CRY, more than 90 of Ally’s family and friends entered The Palace Half Marathon at Hampton Court on 17th March 2019. This event and date was chosen as the closest to Ally’s birthday: he would have been eighteen on March 14th. We are delighted to say that thanks to the generosity of so many people, this single event raised more than £46,000 in Ally's name for CRY.
Alessandro would want his death to help others by encouraging support for CRY to prevent tragedies like his.
Please support CRY by making a donation here. Alessandro’s parents, family and friends are immensely grateful for your support.