On 4th August 2019, fire fighters from Malton Red Watch will be "Riding for Tom Parsons Trust"

We will be taking part in the Yorkshire 100 Cycle Sportive. https://www.rspca-yorkhome.org.uk/yorkshire100.php

The route will be 100 miles long and will take us through some of the most beautiful parts of Ryedale!
We set off from York and the sportive will take us through, Burythorpe up Leavening Bank and down through Thixendale (where we will refill our water bottles) to Fimber. We then head Eastbound up to the coast before returning to Ryedale, cycling through the villages of Butterwick, Weaverthorpe and East and West Lutton. Eventually we will come into Settrington where we can once again hydrate before the last leg which takes us back to York through Langton, Eddlethorpe and Kirkham Abbey.

Tom's Story

A lover of rugby, horse racing, biking and the gym, Tom was fit and healthy. His friends were a huge part of his life, as was his girlfriend Steph. He loved his job as a plumber and was a very happy 22yr old!

At the time of his sudden death, Tom was in holiday in Zante with his friends. Initially the diagnosis was unclear but appeared to be a cardiac problem that was the cause of his untimely death. After several months of further investigation, the autopsy showed the cause of death for Tom was myocarditis.

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart which causes degeneration or death of heart muscle cells. Myocarditis can be mild and cause no noticeable symptoms and can often improve without treatment.

Unfortunately in some cases like Tom, myocarditis can rapidly progress to heart failure! This can affect up to 20% of young people!

The real challenge lies in diagnosing myocarditis as early diagnosis will ultimately minimise or prevent this from progressing to heart dysfunction, failure and ultimately death!

Our fundraising efforts will enable researchers and physicians to advance diagnostic methods and leave a legacy that Tom Parsons would be proud of!