The local North West action group for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is organising a major fundraising event in Aghyaran GAA Centre on Wednesday, February 28, withy the proceeds going towards the running costs of providing a screening service in Northern Ireland, which may detect potentially lethal cardiovascular conditions. 

This screening service is located at the University of Ulster, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, and it is recommended that cardiac-screening is requested via your GP, if there have been any young, sudden deaths in the family, or the young person is suffering from symptoms of chest pain (exercise-related), breathlessness, palpitations, dizziness or fainting.  

Said a CRY spokesperson: "We are all too familiar with the sudden deaths of young sports stars like Cormac McAnallen and John McCall, but this condition has struck down many other active, young people throughout Northern Ireland. 

CRY will screen any young physically-active individuals aged between 14 and 35. 

"Our unique community-testing programme has been developed with the full support and backing of Dr Sanjay Sharma, consultant cardiologist at Lewisham University Hospital and CRY patron, Professor Bill McKenna at the Heart Hospital London.  The cost of a 12 lead ECG is £35." 

There has been a number of localised action groups set up throughout Northern Ireland to raise awareness and funds, so the North West group is delighted to have secured the services of Conal Gallen, Matthew McGranaghan, Tom Sweeney, Aghy6ran Novelty Act, The Senators, Keith, Lorraine and the Showband Show and Susan McGann for their concert and dance in the Aghyaran GAA Centre on Wednesday night next. 

"We hope this will be a very enjoyable night and will raise much-needed funds to help detect this life-threatening illness in our young people.  If you would like to contact our CRY divisional representative, or a county representative, please call the CRY office on 19737 363 222, said the CRY spokesperson. 

Tickets are available from Hamilton's Spar, Castlederg, Dinny McCrory's Castlederg, Pat O'Loughlin's Castlederg, DD's Day Today Killeter, McHughs of the Glen, Donegal Oil, Ballybofey, and The Villa, Ballybofey.