Flintshire’s first mobile cardiac screening has been hailed as a success.

Self-supporting charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) is delighted all 37 appointments were kept by 14 to 35-year-olds who were keen to be checked for signs of heart defects on Saturday.

Those who were lucky enough to book their free place are now waiting to receive their results.

CRY representative Doreen Harley, who campaigned tirelessly to have the screening session in North Wales after the death of her eldest daughter Lisa Jane Browne from Sudden Death Syndrome, is hoping the event will save lives.

The Connah’s Quay grandmother joined forces with Maeshafn couple Maureen and Geoff Rutherford, who lost their son Jonathan to a similar condition last year, to ensure £6,6666 was raised to fund the event.

Along with Mold and Buckley Lions, the Rutherford’s raised a huge amount of cash by planning fundraising events at their Miners Arms pub in the village.

This appeal received a big boost when Scottish Power donated £1000 after hearing Doreen had been nominated for the Chronicle/Scottish Power Woman of the year title in our annual Your Champions awards.

Doreen has sent a heartfelt thank you to the team at Beaufort Park Hotel, New Brighton, where the screening was held.

‘CRY is extremely grateful to the manager, Adrian Barsby, and his team for their incredible generosity and support,’ she said.

London cardiologist Jayesh Makan carried out tests, helped by ECG technician Adele Doherty, ECHO technicians David Oxborough and John Pither helped Tony Hill, CRY representative and screening manager on the day.

Volunteers Doreen and Terry Harley, Valerie Ashley, Julie Cawdell, Chris Collinson and Glenda Gomes ensured everything went according to plan.

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami, who launched the appeal to raise the cash for the event in the Chronicle, was also in New Brighton to congratulate fundraisers.

‘If this screening event can save just one life then it will have been worth all the hard work that has been involved in organising it,’ Doreen said.

Screening has already saved the lives of her husband Terry, her other daughter Rachel Willn, and grandson Jack, six – who were all diagnosed as having the same condition as Lisa after her death.

Now the syndrome has been detected – they can now all live a relatively normal life.

Rachel has been fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator/pacemaker which will ensure her heart beats at a regular rate.

‘To lose one daughter was devastating and I just feel Rachel has now been given a second chance of life.’

Due to the exceptionally high demand for screening places, CRY will be holding a second event towards the latter part of this year.