Tom Cairney falls to rare heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

TOM Cairney went to bed last week dreaming about how it would feel to run out onto the football field for the first game of the season. Tragically, the teenager would never wake up to realise that dream.

The official Devon Meadows Junior Football Club photo of Tom Cairney. Picture: Supplied

TOM Cairney went to bed last week dreaming about how it would feel to run out onto the football field for the first game of the season.

Tragically, the teenager would never wake up to realise that dream.

Tom’s mother Jodie made the traumatic discovery on Saturday morning that no parent should ever have to make.

RELATED:

COUNTRY FOOTY STAR’S HEART STOPPED TWICE

NEW TRIAL INVESTIGATES SCREENING TOOL FOR HEART FAILURE

$470M FUNDING BOOST BRINGS VICTORIAN HEART HOSPITAL TO LIFE

“I thought he was just sleeping in,” she said.

“When Pete (Tom’s father) came home from work just after midday, we thought we would rouse him.”

That was when Ms Cairney removed the sheets to find her 14-year-old lying motionless and not breathing in bed.

Tom had died peacefully in his sleep at his Cranbourne East home.

“He just wouldn’t wake up,” Ms Cairney said.

“It was like a nightmare that wouldn’t end.”

Police and ambulance services were alerted shortly after but nothing could be done to save Tom.

“I screamed and called Peter in and then it sunk in, I froze.”

Family photo of sister Nicole, mum Jodie, dad Peter and Tom. Picture: Supplied

The 14-year-old had died due to a rare heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Tom suffered from the inherited condition that often shows no symptoms. In some cases, the first sign of the disease is sudden death.

The rare heart disorder, especially fatal in young athletes, enlarges heart muscles, causing the organ to work less efficiently and potentially slowing or even stopping blood flow.

Medical experts confirmed the otherwise healthy young teen would have fallen unconscious before dying in his sleep without pain.

“The only thing allowing me to get any sleep right now is the fact I know he didn’t feel it happen,” Ms Cairney said.

Tom rising up to pluck a mark. Picture: Supplied

Peter said his son would be remembered for his “big booming smile and wonderfully big hugs”.

“He was always smiling, always laughing,” he said.

A keen Richmond supporter, celebrating last year’s Grand Final win will now forever stay with him.

“That was probably the greatest day of his life,” Mr Cairney said. “We danced and celebrated all day.”

Tom fiercely contests the ball. Picture: Supplied

Older sister Nicole said her brother had “a heart of gold”.

“He was the kind of person everyone loved, it’s just devastating,” she said.

A talented full forward, Tom was universally loved around his Devon Meadows Junior Football Club.

Leeanne Boyson, Tom’s aunty, said the young footy player would have “played forever” if he could.

“His whole life was football, if he wasn’t playing it he would be talking about it,” Ms Boyson said.

Tom boots a long-range goal. Picture: Supplied

Club president Scott Skewes said the club was still recovering from the news.

“You never expect to hear about something like this, especially at such a young age,” he said.

Mr Skewes said Tom’s under-15s team wore black armbands, and a minute of ­silence was held before their game on Sunday, with emotions still running high.

“We retired Tom’s #22 to show we will never forget him,” Mr Skewes said.

Tom played at the Devon Meadows club since he was seven, and it became an important part of his life.

“Every single player at the club is hurting,” Mr Skewes said.

Ms Cairney said past teachers, classmates and family friends attended Sunday’s game.

One player, who had begun his football career with Tom and had not played for the club in years, returned just for the occasion.

“He told me that he started his footy career with Tom and he was going to make sure he finished it with Tom too,” Ms Cairney said.

“The football club and community have been nothing short of amazing,” she said.

“I honestly don’t know where we would be without their support. We’d probably be lost.”

The team, despite the tragic news, won by more than 150 points.

A funeral service will be held at Bunurong Memorial Park on Wednesday, May 2, at 11.30am

[e-mail]

MORE HERALD SUN NEWS:

PLASTIC PACKAGING COULD BE GONE BY 2025

WHERE LORD MAYOR CANDIDATES STAND

BEYONCE AND JAY-Z TO PERFORM IN MELBOURNE