Nine-year-old British tennis star dies from allergic reaction

Sadie Bristow was ranked number one girl in her age group by the Lawn Tennis Association

Family setting up charity to aid allergy research (JustGiving)

One of Britain’s highest ranked young tennis players died suddenly after suffering an allergic reaction.

Sadie Bristow went into anaphylactic shock during a family outing at Whitstable Castle in Kent on Monday 20 August, and was airlifted to St George’s Hospital in London.

Despite adrenaline shot treatment by doctors, the nine-year-old did not recover.

The rising star was ranked number one girl in her age group by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), winning more than 40 youth tournaments last year.

Her father Stewart Bristow, a tennis coach, said the family planned to set up a charitable organisation in her name to help others with allergies.

“Sadie was an inspiration and we wish to carry on inspiring in her name,” he told KentOnline.

Mr Bristow said his daughter was dairy intolerant, but explained there was no specific trigger on the day she died.

“She was just playing outside when she came in and told us she wasn’t well,” he said.

“Anaphylactic shock shuts down the airways very quickly and she did not respond to treatment with 16 shots of adrenaline, which is the first course of action.

“It is very rare and I think even the doctors were taken aback by the speed of it."

The Bristow family has set up a JustGiving page, hoping to raise money “to aid allergy understanding, research and prevention.”

A private funeral took place last week, but the family is also organising a special day of celebration in Chartham, Kent, where the family lives.

Dean Jones, executive head teacher at Chartham Primary School, said: “Sadie was always full of fun, kindness and positivity and showed a determined spirit to excel in everything she approached.

“It’s not just me who thought she was a special talent because other LTA coaches saw it in her too and she was being fast tracked to develop that promise.”