Heartbreaking Tragedy: 11-Year-Old Girl Goes to Bed and Never Wakes Up

Steve Pritchard, the father of 11-year-old Matilda, is honoring his daughter’s “last wish” after her sudden and tragic death from a hidden heart condition. On April 3, 2024, Matilda went to bed as usual but never woke up, leaving her family devastated. Steve and his wife, Anna, found Matilda had suffered a cardiac arrest in her sleep. Paramedics rushed her to Leeds General Infirmary, but she was pronounced dead on arrival, via the Sun.

Matilda had been a healthy, vibrant child with a deep love for animals and the environment. Her father shared, “As any child would do, Matilda went up to bed and just never woke up. It’s been catastrophically terrible—but I’m hoping we can start the process of fulfilling our little girl’s dream of a world without litter.”

Matilda’s passion for nature led her to frequently litter-pick in her community. In early 2024, she received a Blue Peter Green Badge for her dedication to sustainability. Her environmental mission became a family effort, with Steve recounting how she would proudly gather purple bin bags and say, “Daddy—I dream of a world without litter.” Her family is now determined to bring that dream to life.

The Pritchard family later learned Matilda had an undiagnosed genetic heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare defect affecting heart muscle tissue. Following her diagnosis, Steve, Anna, and their 14-year-old daughter Olivia underwent testing to rule out the condition. “We were immediately worried about Olivia,” Steve shared, explaining how symptoms typically appear around age 13. Thankfully, all their tests returned clear results.

To honor Matilda’s legacy, Steve set up a JustGiving page to support the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, specifically funding their Eco-Schools program, which integrates environmental education into the national curriculum. Initially aiming to fund the program for a year, the campaign exceeded expectations, reaching over £28,000. Steve said, “I thought, ‘Let up our budget to five years—one for each year Matilda would’ve been at secondary school.’ It’s been an avenue for our grief—a way of expanding her legacy.”

Pascale Harvie, President of JustGiving, commended the family’s efforts, stating, “It’s heartbreaking to hear Matilda’s story. The work her loved ones continue to do in her honor is beyond incredible, and we wish them the very best in their fundraising journey.”

For Steve, the fundraiser has been a powerful way to channel his grief, but he acknowledges the lasting impact of Matilda’s absence. “There’s still an empty space, and after this, I want to focus on taking care of the family,” he said. As donations continue to grow, Matilda’s dream of a cleaner, greener world lives on, inspiring others to take action.