There has been no summer slowdown at Poppy’s Light Foundation.
Quite the opposite.
This summer, something feels like it is shifting.
As Poppy’s mum and founder of the charity that carries her name, I have watched her light travel into businesses, NHS conversations, communities and homes across the North East and beyond.
And in July, Poppy’s Light Foundation achieved the highest-performing online presence for inherited cardiac conditions.
That matters.
Because 12 young people die every week in the UK from undiagnosed cardiac conditions.
Twelve young lives.
Every week.
And that is simply too high.
Why Awareness of Inherited Cardiac Conditions Is About People, Not Statistics
For us, awareness isn’t about likes, followers or statistics. It is about reaching the parent who remembers their child fainted after sport. The teacher who recognises that fainting during or following exercise is a cardiac red flag. The young person who asks a question. The healthcare professional who considers an inherited cardiac condition and refers for expert assessment.
Sometimes, one piece of information can change everything.
So please, look out for heart condition signs and symptoms.
A Partnership With Barratt and David Wilson Homes
This summer we were incredibly proud that Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes North East chose Poppy’s Light Foundation as their Charity of the Year for 2026–2027.
Our partnership has already brought people together in the most brilliant way, most recently at Beach, Brews & Butties at Sandhaven Beach, South Shields.
Brews, breakfast, sea air, sauna and some very brave North Sea swimmers.
It was fun, relaxed and full of community spirit, but behind it is something much bigger.
When businesses choose to stand alongside Poppy’s Light, they give us another route into workplaces, families and communities. Another opportunity for someone to hear about inherited cardiac conditions before tragedy makes them learn.
That is why this partnership means so much to us.
Sharing Poppy’s Story Further Afield
We have also been incredibly proud to see Poppy’s story and our ambitions featured once again in Northern Insight, while our time with Sunderland Professionals Network at Space Bar brought Poppy’s Light into another room filled with people who can help us create change.
Different places. Different people.
One shared ambition: identify cardiac conditions sooner.
World Heart Day: Our ICC Lunch & Learn
And next comes something particularly important.
On World Heart Day, 29 September, our Lunch & Learn will welcome representatives from NHS Trusts across the North East, alongside healthcare, education, charity and business partners.
Get your ticket today: ICC Lunch & Learn
Because preventing young sudden cardiac deaths cannot belong to one organisation alone.
Building a Movement Across the NHS, Charity and Business
Our soon to be released government proposal highlights the strength of bringing the NHS, charity sector and business community together to raise awareness, recognise cardiac red flags, identify inherited cardiac conditions sooner and create accessible routes to expert cardiac assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
Imagine what becomes possible when the NHS brings clinical expertise, charities connect families and communities, and businesses bring their people, platforms and influence.
That is the movement we are building.
Keep Saying Her Name
I will always wish with every part of me that Poppy’s heart condition had been identified sooner.
I cannot change what happened to my beautiful daughter.
But I can keep saying her name. I can keep telling her story. And together, we can keep pushing for change so that more young people with inherited cardiac conditions are identified, supported and given every opportunity to live.
This summer, Poppy’s Light hasn’t slowed down.
It is getting brighter.
And with 12 young lives being lost every week, we have no intention of stopping.
Identify. Support. Live.