A devastating incident occurred on Boxing Day, leaving a family in shock and grief.
Phillip Davies, a 26-year-old father from Sydney, passed away suddenly while on a run, suspected to have suffered a heart attack.
The tragedy happened when Phillip was celebrating the Christmas period with his family in Newcastle, on NSW’s north coast.
A Fateful Run on Boxing Day
Phillip had gone for a run at around 10pm to test out his new smartwatch, a gift from his pregnant wife Kat.
However, when Kat woke up at 1am and realised her husband hadn’t returned, the family’s festive mood quickly turned into a nightmare.
Phillip’s dad and sister immediately started searching for him, but sadly, they found him unresponsive on the side of the road about an hour later.
A Healthy and Fit Young Man
According to Phillip’s sister-in-law Stephanie, Phillip was an extremely fit and healthy individual who regularly exercised.
The family was shocked to learn that doctors believed Phillip had likely suffered from cardiac arrhythmia, a condition that can go undiagnosed even in very healthy people.
Cardiac arrhythmia occurs when the electrical signals that control the heartbeat don’t work properly, causing the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
A Heartbreaking Loss for the Family
Phillip’s family is still trying to come to terms with the loss of their loved one. They have requested genetic testing to determine if Phillip had a pre-existing or hereditary condition.
To support Kat, their two-year-old daughter, and unborn child, Stephanie has started a GoFundMe campaign.
The family had recently bought a house in western Sydney, which Phillip and Kat were renovating.
However, with Phillip’s passing, the family needs help to complete the renovations, particularly as Kat is pregnant and has no income.
Helping the Family in Need
The Australian Defence Force has informed the family that Phillip’s life insurance payout will take six months to process.
In the meantime, the family is relying on the generosity of others to help them make their house a comfortable and safe home for Kat and the children.
Stephanie is urging people to donate to the GoFundMe campaign, saying, “Let’s help finish what Phillip started in making their house into a beautiful family home.”
You can help the family by donating to the GoFundMe campaign