A mural dedicated to a 23-year-old north Belfast man who died suddenly has been revealed as part of a new campaign by the British Heart Foundation to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death.
The artwork at Linenhall Street is dedicated to popular barman and electrician Joseph Burns, who collapsed at his parents’ home in 2014.
Just 24 hours after his death, his girlfriend Sinead discovered she was pregnant with their daughter Bella who is now nine.
Joseph’s mural is one of 12 representing the number of people under the age of 35 lost to sudden cardiac death each week in the UK.
Speaking to the Irish News, his sister Jeanette said being involved in the campaign will help celebrate his life and keep his memory alive.
“They really captured his smile and his character and it’s beautiful to see it,” she said.
“The mural means so much to us because Joseph was such a big impact in our lives and the community around us.
“This is somewhere that we can now come down to with the kids and see Joseph.
“The purpose of this mural is to help spread awareness, but we also hope it will help with donations to the BHF for future research, so they can help others they way they helped us.”
A recent survey revealed that a quarter of people in Northern Ireland don’t believe a heart condition can affect those healthy and aged under 35.
This is despite 42% people surveyed here saying they have lost a close family member to sudden cardiac death and with almost half saying they are aware of a heart condition in their family.
Fearghal McKinney from the BHF said too many lives, like Joseph’s, are being taken too soon by sudden cardiac death.
“This was a young man who lost all his hopes and dreams and that of his family so suddenly 10 years ago,” he said.
