Son's tragedy sparks crusade

James, who attended Bexhill High School, collapsed unexpectedly on Sunday, March 8.

He was playing hide and seek with best friend and classmate Bradley Britt at Coghurst Caravan Park, Ore.

He was rushed to the Conquest Hospital, where a team of 15 medical staff led by Dr Graham Whincup worked for 40 minutes to save him.

Following a post-mortem examination at Great Ormond Street Hospital, it was discovered James suffered from ALCAPA, a rare heart condition affecting one in 300,000 people.

Jackie and Russell Haggerty, of Cooden Drive, spoke of their grief at losing their son.

Jackie said: "James was an only child. In his short time he enjoyed holidays all over the world and we are glad he did that. But it makes it harder because he did everything with us.

"Our son was very loving and was always smiling and everyone who has sent us cards and even school friends have all said that he was such a happy, smiling boy."

ALCAPA (Anomalous origin of the Left Coronary Artery Arising from the Pulmonary Artery), is so rare that the British Heart Foundation was unaware of it.

Little medical research has been undertaken on the condition, where the heart's arteries develop abnormally during infancy.

Eighty-five per cent of babies born with ALCAPA die before the age of two.

James had shown no symptoms, and his death came without warning.

Jackie said: "We were told that he had been a "ticking timebomb" and that the pathologist did not know how he had stayed alive for so long.

We knew our son was special, but this confirms that he was extra special.

"James was an energetic, fun-loving boy who enjoyed swimming, playing X-Box games with his mates, walking his dog Maggie and living life to the full, nothing you would expect from a boy with a heart condition."

The funeral took place on March 26 at Eastbourne Crematorium, and 170 people attended the service.

Di Hawksby, vice principal of Bexhill High School, said: "James was a very popular student who always had a smile on his face. He was dedicated to his work and always enjoyed learning.

"He was an excellent example to his peers.

"James will be sorely missed by the school community."

Russell and Jackie have begun a fundraising campaign for the Paediatric Unit at the Conquest.

Initially hoping for 600 to buy a hydraulic consultancy table, they have so far raised 1,400.

Russell said: "It's important to us that the money goes directly to Dr Whincup and his team. They worked on our son and did an incredible job.

"We feel this is where the money can make a difference to children in our locality."

Roger Clark, headmaster of Battle Abbey School, where Russell is clerk of works, said: "The school was saddened to hear of Russell and Jackie Haggerty's tragic loss. We were aware that James meant the world to them.

"For the last four years the school has been doing aid projects in Kenya, and Russell, Jackie and some "builder friends" will join next year's school trip and build a nursery school, which will be called the James Haggerty Nursery School."

Jackie's colleagues at Richmond Methodist Home are organising a car boot sale, and one, Jane Pallett, is planning a bungee jump at Canary Wharf.

Jackie and Russell spoke of their gratitude, saying: "We would like to thank each and every one of you who have supported us with cards and messages through this very difficult time, to Dr Whincup and his team, the paramedics, staff at Coghurst Caravan Park, Mark and Bradley Britt for being there at the end.

"We would also like to thank staff and children at Battle Abbey School and all at Richmond Methodist Home for their support to us both.

"And lastly to our family for everything they have done."

Anyone wishing to support their efforts is asked to send cheques made payable to East Sussex Hospital NHS Trust to Mummery Funeral Directors, 29-31 Devonshire Road, Bexhill, TN40 1AH.