When Michelle Oakes and Chris Burgees lost their brother to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) on the 25th January 2014, it almost destroyed them. Their own health deteriorated both mentally and physically. Mathew Burgees of Hyde, Manchester was only 20 years old when he collapsed while playing football with his friends, it was later found out that he had a massive heart attack, it was unbeknownst to Mathew and the rest of the family that he had a serious heart condition. Their father also died of SADS at the age of 56. Michelle Oakes (32), Manchester born has adopted the Black Country as her new home and on Saturday 5th September her and her brother Chris (36) decided to do an event which some may seem is a little unusual. They put an exercise bike in the middle of Oldbury Library. The exercise bike was supplied by Al Barz, a local poet and musician from Walsall, Al runs the Purple Penumbra at the Barlow Theatre, Langley once a month. Armed with healthy snacks, fruit juices and plenty of water, they set out on a 154KM trip in Oldbury library. With the Help of Angela L. Garratt, author, poet and editor of the Walsall Poetry Society, and Michelle's partner Hugh, Chris and Michelle managed to raise £207 for SADS UK. The money will be going to the Birmingham Community fund to buy more defibrillators and training on how to use them. But more than that, they raised awareness. Angela gave out leaflets and explained what SADS is to visitors that looked a little bit confused. She advised them that if there is a history of heart disease in the family, then it would be wise to get yourself checked out. It is a dreadful condition that could happen to anyone at anytime. It is for this reason that Michelle, an auxiliary nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, wants to see more defibrillators in high streets, schools, colleges, shopping precincts, libraries and gyms across Birmingham and the Black Country. Mathew planned to be a fire fighter, he had been through all the tests and passed away while waiting for the results. He was 6ft 2in and he loved life, he lived for football and was a avid Chelsea supporter. His Brother Chris, a paranormal investigator from Manchester, described Mathew as being a gentle giant, he was very shy, but would help anyone. Both, Michelle and Chris is extremely proud of how hard Mathew worked to get into the fire service, even though he was not there to start his job. Chris goes on to say that he misses his brother every day and that even though he is not here in body anymore, he is in spirit. Chris plans to put on a charity paranormal investigation for SADS UK in the new year. Michelle has raised £200 for the Ronald McDonald House by climbing Snowdon, Wales highest mountain and raised a further £260 for the British Heart Foundation doing a bike ride in Manchester. She says, "this is the first of many events that we will be doing for SADS UK." Michelle doesn't know what inspired her to put an exercise bike in the middle of the library, but she says, "it was something fun, something to get the people involved, to try and get a healthy heart for myself and to keep myself fit, it is also a message to people out there to look after themselves. We are selling healthy snacks today to promote healthy eating and to do a little bit of exercise every day. Some people may be walking into this library thinking 'it is stupid having a exercise bike in the library,' but good health is something that I am passionate about; it is important to help others to look after themselves; plus, it is in memory of my brother and I am trying to turn something negative into something positive." Michelle lives her life knowing that everyday matters and she lives her life to the full; she knows that when it is her time, she has, at least, made a difference to people's lives. Both Chris and Michelle are a true inspiration, they loved their brother dearly, and in keeping their brother's memory alive, they are striving to help others. Next time you see a sign somewhere saying the nearest defibrillator is in your local taxi rank, chemist or library, just remember it is people like Chris and Michelle that helped to put them there.
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AuthorI am the author of a book called Innocent Spirits, I write short Novella's and Short stories. I love to dabble with a bit of Poetry. All my stories are either Horror or paranormal Thrillers. I write poetry of all genres. Archives
July 2019
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