Tragic loss – young girl dies peacefully in her sleep

Matilda Pritchard’s smile lit up every room she entered, and her kindness touched everyone who knew her. On April 2, 2024, her family faced an unimaginable loss when the 11-year-old passed away suddenly in her sleep. Now, her father, Steven Pritchard, is asking for support to honor her memory and continue her mission for a cleaner world.

Matilda was a happy, healthy girl with no sign of illness. On the evening of April 2, she went to bed like any other night, full of life and laughter. But when her parents, Steven and Anna, tried to wake her the next morning, they found her unresponsive. Paramedics and doctors were unable to revive her.

Doctors later determined that Matilda had suffered cardiac arrest due to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) — a rare, undiagnosed heart condition that weakens the heart muscles and can cause sudden cardiac death.

“She went to bed like she always did, nothing out of the ordinary,” Steven recalled.

A silent and deadly condition

ARVC affects approximately 1 in 1,000 people and is often hereditary. Matilda had shown no symptoms before her death, making the diagnosis even more shocking for her family. Concerned for their eldest daughter, 14-year-old Olivia, the Pritchards immediately sought medical testing to rule out any signs of the condition in her.

“She’s 14, and symptoms usually start around 13. But everything’s come back completely clean – we’re all fine,” Steven shared with relief.

While ARVC cannot be cured, early detection can make treatment possible, including medication or pacemakers to manage the condition. Tragically, Matilda’s condition went undetected, and her family is now channeling their grief into action.

Matilda had a deep love for animals and the environment. She often spent her free time picking up litter in her local park, taking pride in making her surroundings cleaner. In recognition of her efforts, she was awarded a Blue Peter green badge in 2023 — an achievement she cherished.

Her father describes her as a determined and kind-hearted girl who dreamed of a world free from trash and pollution. “She wanted a cleaner world, a better one,” Steven said.

Honoring her legacy

To honor Matilda’s dream, the Pritchard family launched a JustGiving campaign to raise funds for environmental projects. Originally, they set a target of £11,213 ($14,000), representing her birthday on 11/02/13, to symbolize the joy and kindness she brought in her 11 years of life. The funds are dedicated to environmental initiatives, particularly those aimed at reducing litter and pollution — a cause close to Matilda’s heart.

Now, the family has increased their goal to £42,000 ($53,000) to sponsor these projects for five years, representing the years Matilda would have spent in secondary school. So far, the campaign has raised 67% of its goal.

“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.”

Keeping Matilda’s memory alive

The Pritchard family’s grief is immeasurable, but their determination to carry on Matilda’s legacy is inspiring. Through their fundraiser, they hope to turn their pain into positive action, helping create the world Matilda envisioned.

If you’d like to support Matilda’s mission, visit the JustGiving page to contribute. Together, we can help her dream of a cleaner, kinder world come true.

Matilda may have been taken too soon, but her passion and kindness continue to shine brightly in the lives of those she touched.