THE family of a young north Belfast man who died suddenly from a rare genetic heart defect are running the Belfast Marathon to raise money for research into the silent condition.
Joe Burns (23) was a fit and healthy boxer who trained regularly at the gym, but in July 2014 he collapsed at his parents' home and died from the rare genetic heart defect, Long QT.
The day after his tragic death, his girlfriend Sinead discovered she was pregnant with their daughter Bella, who is now aged two.
For months, his family did not know what had caused his sudden death. Relatives were referred for testing and have since learned Mr Burns' mother Una and sister Jeanette both carry the faulty gene, an inherited condition that can cause heart rhythm disturbances.
Left undiagnosed, it can cause sudden death where someone has an unexpected cardiac arrest.
In a bid to raise awareness of the condition and other inherited heart conditions, family and friends of Mr Burns are running the Belfast Marathon on Monday to raise funds for British Heart Foundation.
Mr Burns' father, also called Joe, said his son was "always giving back and we want to give back too".
"That's why this year we are running the Belfast Marathon in his memory for BHF," he said.
"Firstly because of the support we had from Tracy Jardine (BHF nurse) and also to fund research into Long QT and other heart conditions that take the lives of young people like our son."
To donate to the fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/J-Burns4
