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The family of a Scarborough man who
died of an unknown heart condition is campaigning for a national
screening programme to be introduced for young people.
Allyn McCluskie, 24, died at his
Alma Square home in May this year.
His family is now hoping to raise
awareness about the advantages of a screening programme as well
as raising thousands of pounds for the Cardiac Risk in the Young
charity (CRY).
Denise Lewis, Allyn's aunt, said:
"Our aim as family and friends of Allyn is to campaign for a
nati8onal heart screening programme to stop preventable cardiac
deaths in young people."
"This also involves lobbying
government and politicians as well as working with
cardiologists, GPs and cardiac nurses.
"CRY is a charity reliant on
fundraising activities organised by bereaved families and we
want to help in raising the profile of the charity and support
them in the essential work that they do.
"We hope to raise a minimum of
£10,000 a year.
"This is a very difficult time for
us all but our love for Allyn will help us to achieve our
aims."
A post mortem examination showed
that Allyn had suffered a coronary artery atheroma.
Dr Mary Shepperd, who examined the
heart in London, advised Allyn's siblings to have a screening
due to the long family history of the disease.
Mrs Lewis added: "If there was a
national screening programme for young people, namely an ECG and
Cardiac Echo, Allyn would still be alive today.
"Twelve young people die every week
as a result of undiagnosed heart conditions.
"Allyn was always proud of his
family, in particular his brothers, in all their achievements,
his friends would tell you he would not stop talking about
them. We believe Allyn is driving us to make a difference to
the lives of young people from across Britain."
His family are organising a variety
of fundraising events to raise money for the CRY charity.
They have already raised £240 after
Tony Peers dedicated one night of his Scarborough Spa Summer
show to Allyn.
Upcoming events include a
fundraising night at Soltz on Saturday November 7 organised by
David Garnett, David O'Sullivan and Allyn's best friends.
Allyn's cousin, Shaun Lewis, plans
to shave his hair off on the same day and will be collecting
money in the town centre.
Later this year a group of 12 people
plan to walk the West Highland Way, in Scotland.
Filey School has adopted CRY as
their main fundraising charity this year.
The All Wales Cardiac Rehabilitation
Group will take part in a sponsored walk and Beth Lewis, Allyn's
cousin, will do a parachute jump next year.
Allyn's grandparents will also be
collecting donations in their home town of Airdrie, in
Scotland. |