A BRAINTREE family was among hundreds of bereaved walkers who took to the streets to remember lost loved ones.

Almost 800 people gathered in London to walk together in memory of lost relatives on Sunday, June 25.

The walk was also a tribute to the 12 “fit and healthy” young people in the UK aged 35 and under who die every week from sudden cardiac arrests.

The Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) Heart of London Bridges Walk is now in its 17th year and is the pinnacle of the charity’s awareness-raising calendar, helping to generate almost £1millon since its launch in 2007.

Family and friends of Elise Fitzpatrick travelled to Southwark Park on Sunday to join the walk.

The Braintree family first became involved with CRY following the sudden death of Elise in September 2016 from a previously undiagnosed heart condition, when she was just 24 years old.

Elise’s sisters, brother and dad were part of the team taking part in the event.

Charity chief executive Dr Steven Cox said: “CRY’s Heart of London Bridges Walk is the most important event in our year, bringing families and friends together from all over the UK to remember the person who meant so much to them and died so suddenly.

“Despite the high temperatures on Sunday, it was so wonderful to see so many families and friends of CRY coming together again on this special day, helping to support each other whilst also helping to raising awareness of young, sudden cardiac death.

“There are so few occasions for families to participate in an event on this scale, this really is a day just for them.

“We are so pleased to be able to hold this event for CRY families, and this year, our post-walk picnic in Southwark Park provided a unique opportunity to meet up with others who have been through similar experiences and to connect and remember.

 “As ever, we are hugely grateful to everyone who took part this year, all of whom will have been affected in some way by the devastating impact of a sudden cardiac death in a young person close to them.

“I’d also like to give a huge shout out to all of our wonderful volunteers who gave up a big part of their weekend to help hand out water and ensure the day went smoothly.”