Sir Ian Botham OBE

"I am delighted to accept the position of Honorary President of CRY’s Centre of Sports Cardiology – the first dedicated Sports Cardiology Unit in the world. We want all kids to have heart tests just as they do annually in Italy. Development of the Sports Cardiology Unit is crucial to underpin CRY’s very ambitious screening programme and save young lives. We must stop these terrible tragedies. Youngsters are dying needlessly – we can and must change things.

At the end of the day these deaths are indiscriminate.  They affect all sorts of people - amateur sportsmen, professional sportsmen, a guy playing on a pitch, a kid at a school sports day.  It is something that must be addressed and has been swept under the carpet for too long."

Extract from speech at All Party Parliamentary Group - House of Commons, July 2002

CRY Philips Test My Heart Tour 09 visits Welwyn Garden City
Honorary President of CRY, Sir Ian Botham, lent his support to the latest event in the CRY Philips Test My Heart Tour 09.

I say all kids should have their hearts checked before they play sport - Evening Standard, July 2005

With sudden cardiac death not only has there been no preparation for it as there can be with terminal illness but there is also no obvious or direct link between what has happened and the tragic consequences.  Many parents end up blaming themselves for overlooking possible symptoms and dealing with the awful loss is then compounded by feelings of guilt.  That’s why CRY’s work is so important because they have a network of individuals who have suffered a similar tragedy and can support others through their loss.

CRY Parliamentary Reception - June 2005

On Wednesday June 15^th, CRY hosted a Parliamentary Reception at Westminster as part of its Raising Awareness Week, and to help mark its 10^th Anniversary.  The event was attended by more than 70 MPs who came to show their support for CRY’s campaigning. 

All Party Parliamentary Group for Cardiac Risk in the Young - July 2002

Ian Botham OBE met with North Durham MP, Kevan Jones and parliamentary colleagues on Monday 8th July to launch an All Party Parliamentary Group on Cardiac Risk in the Young at Portcullis House, Westminster.

Launch of the CRY Centre for Sports Cardiology - April 2002

The CRY Centre for Sports Cardiology - based at the British Olympic Medical Centre, Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow - was launched on April 15th 2002.  We aim to establish the CRY Centre for Sports Cardiology as an international leader in its field, with the ongoing development of our cardiac screening programme, training of expertise in this specialist area and contribution to research.

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