Matilda Pritchard, an 11-year-old girl known for her bright smile and kind heart, was tragically taken from us too soon. One night, she went to sleep and never woke up.

A Sudden Loss

Matilda seemed like a perfectly healthy and happy girl, full of life with no signs of illness. Her parents, Steven and Anna, never imagined anything could be wrong. On the night of April 2, 2024, Matilda went to bed as usual. Her father, Steven, recalls how she simply went to sleep “normally.”

The next morning, when Matilda didn’t wake up, her parents tried everything to rouse her. When their efforts failed, they called paramedics, but it was too late. Matilda was pronounced dead at the hospital from cardiac arrest.

A Hidden Heart Condition

Matilda passed away peacefully in her sleep from an undiagnosed heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC). This genetic condition weakens the heart muscles, making it harder for the heart to pump blood and can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. ARVC affects 1 in 1,000 people, and Matilda showed no signs of the illness until her tragic passing.

Concerned for their other daughter, Olivia, Matilda’s parents quickly had her tested for ARVC. “She’s 14, and symptoms usually start around 13. But everything’s come back completely clean – we’re all fine,” Steven told Daily Mail.

Honoring Matilda’s Memory

Though ARVC cannot be cured, treatments are available that might have saved Matilda’s life if detected in time. Now, her family is dedicated to honoring her memory and continuing her dreams.

Matilda was passionate about the environment and envisioned a cleaner world free from garbage and toxins. She often picked up litter in her local park, and her efforts were recognized with a Blue Peter green badge in 2023 for her hard work.

JustGiving

Mr. Pritchard said, “It’s been catastrophically terrible — but I’m hoping we can start the process of our little girl’s dream, of a world without litter.”

To honor Matilda, her family created a JustGiving page with an initial target of £11,213 ($14,000) to commemorate her birthday, 11/02/13. This amount represented the 11 years of laughter, silliness, and kindness that will always be cherished. They now aim to raise £42,000 ($53,000) to fund five years of sponsorship for this cause, representing the years Matilda would have spent in secondary school. Currently, the fundraiser has reached 67% of their goal.