Shane Warne Legacy: Organisation to celebrate Spin King’s legendary life

Cricket legend Shane Warne is set to leave a lasting legacy that will celebrate a legendary life and ensures his name lives on in the most meaningful way.

Spin king Shane Warne is set to leave a life-saving Australian legacy in the wake of his shock death from a suspected heart attack.

The Herald Sun can reveal those closest to the cricket legend will on Tuesday launch a new organisation celebrating a legendary life, ensuring his name lives on in the most meaningful way.

Shane Warne Legacy will raise awareness and funds for a variety of charities and causes, starting with a campaign his kids, former teammates and friends from all walks of life believe may have kept the sporting legend alive.

Summer, Jackson and Brooke Warne with the organisation’s chief executive Helen Nolan. Picture: Jason Edwards

The “Shane Warne Legacy Heart Test” campaign will see 23,000 free four minute health tests made available to Aussies before the end of this year.

Once that goal is bowled over, the aim is to provide 500,000 Australians a free heart test next year – reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and potentially saving hundreds of thousands of lives.

The ultimate mission is to establish a nationwide free heart test for every Australian aged over 40, similar to the successful national bowel cancer screening program.

Warne’s close friend and long-time personal assistant Helen Nolan, who will serve as chief executive of Shane Warne Legacy, said: “Shane’s last test was the only one he didn’t prepare for.

“Which is the inspiration for the first test match in our series.’’

Brooke, Summer and Jackson Warne at their father’s state memorial service. Picture: Mark Stewart

In a touching letter penned to the Herald Sun to officially launch Shane Warne Legacy, Warne’s children Jackson, Summer and Brooke, who will serve as ambassadors, said “he would love this’’.

“We aim to reciprocate the love and guidance dad provided us throughout our lives by continuing the legacy he left behind.

“It’s our heartfelt commitment to sustain the legacy on his behalf.

“We believe if dad had taken one of these tests, he might still be with us today.

“We don’t want any family to endure the heartache we’ve faced and sadly, millions of others have faced, and dad wouldn’t want that either.”

Global stars including Ed Sheeran and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin will act as “champions’’ advocating for the organisation.

Robbie Williams tribute to Shane Warne during his Melbourne concert. Picture: Instagram

Singer Robbie Williams, who donned Warne’s number 23 Aussie One Day top on stage in Melbourne last week, said it was “an extraordinary endeavour’’.

“Shane would take pride in knowing that he continues to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,’’ he said.

Warne’s parents Keith and Brigitte said the new organisation “holds a sacred place in our hearts, a testament to Shane’s enduring influence, and we find solace in knowing it will carry on making a positive impact, just as he would have wanted.’’

“When we reflect on Shane’s passing in March 2022, we can’t help but wonder if a heart test might have revealed an issue, allowing him to take preventive measures,’’ they said.

“The first initiative of the Legacy strives to offer others this crucial opportunity, sparing their loved ones the heart-wrenching anguish of a sudden loss.

“Providing this chance to other families is a source of immense pride for us, hoping they don’t endure the same fate we have.”

Keith and Brigitte Warne with Jackson. Pic: Instagram

Floppy Shane Warne Legacy Hats will be sold in the lead-up to the summer of cricket.

Singer Dannii Minogue said: “I’ve had the privilege of connecting with his team on many projects, and know they will carry his legacy precisely as he envisioned.’’

Warne’s shock death, aged 52, was credited with a 62 per cent increase in Aussie heart health checks from March 2022 to January 2023.

Professor Jason Kovacic, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute chief executive and director, said the tests could be “really important’’ in tackling cardiovascular disease, which killed more than 40,000 Australians each year.

“If they can raise awareness about heart health and use Shane and his story as a great Australian, it can really have a big impact across the country,’’ he said.

“There is good awareness in the community about some health checks like mammography, and pap smear but people still don’t take their heart health as seriously as they do about those things.’’

Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne. Picture: Hamish Blair

Former Test captain Ricky Ponting said it was “an awesome thing’’ his great mate’s name would live on for the right reasons.

“You put that name to anything and it’s going to create even more awareness to whatever it’s linked to, so this I think is an awesome initiative,’’ he said.

Fellow Test great Glenn McGrath was still coming to terms with the fact he would never see Warne again but thrilled his friend could still make a difference.

“This has the potential to save lives and make a huge impact on so many people,’’ he said.

“It’s about early detection … he was a larger than life character and if it can happen to someone like Shane it can happen to any single one of us.

“Hopefully people take responsibility for themselves and go and get checked out.’’

Victorian cricket icon Merv Hughes said it was “fantastic to remember the great man’’.

Shane Warne with Merv Hughes.

“But also that when it comes to men’s health we know how bad men are … in this case it’s a great reminder that, particularly for men over 40, just to get regular checks.’’

“Shane Warne Legacy Heart Checks’’ will be run in collaboration with SiSu Health and LaTrobe Health Services, with full details of when and where they can be accessed to be released in coming weeks.

“I have no doubt these tests would align with Shane’s wishes,’’ Ms Nolan said.

“We are not asking for any donations; all we ask is the Australian public “have a crack” at getting a heart test.’’

Warne’s brother Jason said: “The fact that he was one doctors appointment away from still being here really cuts deep.

“The thought of his legacy being associated with creating a platform where people will be pushed to have the heart check he didn’t have and potentially stay on this earth for many more years to spend with their family will be a fitting tribute.’’