Brother's tribute to Ryan Keane after sudden heart attack

Tom Keane, 26 lost his younger brother Ryan, 22, to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) last summer.

The brothers from Maresfield did everything together, sharing friends and a love for music.

"He was just a very kind person," Tom said. "An interesting character, and there was never a dull moment."

Tom Keane with brother Ryan

Tom described the tragic moment Ryan suddenly became ill before being discovered dead in his bed by his family.

“In the evening, he went to go and kick a ball around with a couple of friends,” Tom said.

“On the way back he complained that he felt a bit fatigued and that his heart didn’t feel right.

“He asked me to feel his pulse, I tried on his wrist and neck and I couldn’t feel anything at all.

Ryan with brother Tom, mother Rachel and father Scott

“I said ‘should we call someone’ but we thought we'll see how it goes as we didn’t want to panic anyone.

“He had a cold shower and water and we checked on him a few times – he seemed to be improving.

“He was up and around and playing with he dogs and was chatting so he seemed to be fine.

“Later that night, the unthinkable happened.

“When we woke up, we couldn’t wake him up and that’s how we knew he had gone.”

Tom Keane with brother Ryan

SADS is a genetic heart condition that can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy, people.

The British Heart Foundation described it as when someone dies suddenly following a cardiac arrest and no obvious cause can be found.

This affects around 500 people in the UK every year.

A song – which the brothers had started work on before Ryan’s death – has been released to raise money for You Raise Up, a charity providing financial, practical and emotional support to families that have lost a young adult.

Ryan with mother Rachel

Speaking about the impact on his family, including father Scott, 50, and mother Rachel, 52, Tom said: “We were struggling to sleep and eat, we stayed close together.

“We were all sleeping in the living room with the dogs, watching TV – staying together even though it was tough to see each other sad.

“I couldn’t imagine being alone in those times.”

You Raise Me Up offer one-to-one counselling, support groups, families days and a 24 hour helpline.

Ryan with father Scott Keane

The charity – entirely funded by donations and fundraising – also has a drop in centre at the Coffee Shop on Polegate High Street.

A Go Fund Me fundraiser set up by the family for the charity has raised more than £2,500 and can be found here.