Pride of Britain nomination for inspirational mum of Sheffield Wednesday fan who died suddenly aged just 13

The mother of a Sheffield Wednesday superfan who died suddenly of a rare heart condition at the age of just 13 has been nominated for a Pride of Britain award.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Oct 2018, 09:57 BST
Updated 4th Oct 2018, 23:12 BST
Keira Hayden.Keira Hayden.
Keira Hayden.

Keira Hayden has been shortlisted following the fundraising and campaigning she has done since her son Tom Bothamley died while watching music videos on his laptop in July 2016.

Tom, of Flanderwell, Rotherham, died from so-called long QT syndrome '“ a heart condition which causs an irregular heartbeat.

Tom Bothamley.Tom Bothamley.
Tom Bothamley.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The youngster, who played for Wickersley youth Junior FC, was a huge Wednesday fan and became the Owls' youngest club member when granddad Paul Carder registered him on the day he was born.

Read More
'˜Sheffield is the home of football, so where is city's public art inspired by t...

His death was the third tragedy to hit Keira. His father Ryan died of sudden adult death syndrome aged 15 in February 2002, while Keira was pregnant with Tom.

Her 23-month-old son Joshua Donelly died on Christmas Day in 2007.

Mourners wore Sheffield Wednesday colours at the funeral.Mourners wore Sheffield Wednesday colours at the funeral.
Mourners wore Sheffield Wednesday colours at the funeral.

Keira, 31, said: 'I was in complete and utter shock when the lady phoned me to tell me I'd been nominated. I ended up getting lost in the middle of Rotherham because I was just in total disbelief.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

'I'm truly overwhelmed by it and I don't feel I deserve it as everyone made it happen and I've just done what any other parent do. Without everyone's help, we wouldn't be able to place these life-saving devices into the community.'

Tom's family, including grandparents Julie and Paul Carder, launched a huge fundraising campaign following his death and have installed numberous defibrillators around Wickersley and Bramley in his memory.

Hundreds of people attended Tom's funeral in July 2016.Hundreds of people attended Tom's funeral in July 2016.
Hundreds of people attended Tom's funeral in July 2016.

The family has also called for heart screening to be made complusory for children and hold an annual fundraiser every July in his memory, which this year raised more than £7,700.

Keira said: 'We are just in the process of finalising funding which will see us pay for screening for 200 kids so that any issues can be picked up.'

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hundreds of people donned the Owls' blue and white colours for Tom's funeral in Wickersley in July 2013.

Keira described him as her '˜star, who had brought joy into so many lifes'.

She added: 'He was a true inspiration to everyone he met. The memories people have shared with us have been overwhelming.

'We are so proud of the young man Thomas was becoming and the positive impact he had on the people who knew him. 'He was so beautiful and talented, such a handsome man gone too soon. Thomas was our star.'

Related topics:Sheffield WednesdayWickersley