New mural unveiled in Chesterfield

A powerful new mural has been unveiled in Chesterfield, by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to remember Tom Henson, who sadly died in 2018 aged just 23, after having a cardiac arrest while playing football with his friends. The striking mural is part of a new campaign by the BHF to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death.

Tom’s mural is one of 12 unveiled across the country as part of the BHF campaign. As the UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off, each painting commemorates a talented young footballer or fan who died too soon.

Nikki and Shaun O’Halloran, Tom’s mother and stepfather, have set up the Tom Henson Charity, raising money for community defibrillators, so far helping provide 34 defibrillators across local communities.

Nikki said: “I think Tom would be happy that his story is helping raise awareness of sudden cardiac death. If just one person gets checked out and gets a heart diagnosis, or someone learns CPR, it’s worth it.”

Located at Whittington Moor, Chesterfield, the mural features the emotive message ‘Til I Died’. At a time when people are looking forward to watching the month-long football festival with their family and friends, for families like Tom’s, it is yet another poignant reminder of loved ones who are no longer with us.

Each week, 12 young people under the age of 35 are lost to sudden cardiac death in the UK. However, new research from the BHF reveals that the nation is largely unaware of the devastating effect heart disease has on young people.

A nationally representative survey has revealed that over a quarter of Brits (27%) don’t believe a heart condition can affect you if you are aged under 35. Those surveyed also severely underestimated the number of under 35s that die each week from sudden cardiac death, with most thinking it was seven people – almost half less than the shocking reality in the UK.

If you are looking for ideas of where to watch the Euros in Chesterfield check out our blog at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2024/06/its-coming-home-heres-where-you-can-catch-all-the-action-from-euro-2024-in-chesterfield/

Chesterfield has a range of artworks and murals across the town.  You can discover more of them on our art trail walking routes at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/2023/05/chesterfield-art-trail-walking-routes/

Images: Adrian Brown / British Heart Foundation

British Heart Foundation Mural in Chesterfield. Photo: Adrian Brown