Technical Lodge 5666 invited Brethren to bring their guests to a very moving talk about Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) – a charity that provides heart screening for 14-35 year olds.

Bro. Jonathan Sykes introduced Richard and Donna Fell to speak about their charitable fundraising for CRY, and their harrowing personal experience that brought them into contact with the charity.

Donna explained to the assembled audience that she and Richard had been involved with CRY since August 2011 after their 15 year old son, Josh, collapsed in June 2011. Josh was late home from school on a Thursday night, and after calling his mobile, they went to Hornsea school. When they arrived the ambulance was already there, the hospital had to inform them that Josh had passed away. The diagnosis was Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).

Following this terrible tragedy CRY provided much appreciated counselling and support to the Fell family.

To help prevent other families experiencing the same tragedy, Richard and Donna started fund raising. Since 2011 they have raised £150,000 for Josh’s memorial fund with CRY, with that money going towards research and funding screenings. It costs £10,000 for a two-day heart screening session and so far, the Josh Fell Memorial Fund has allowed 2,000 young people to be screened.

Donna explained that the screening sessions are advertised online three days before. It is a simple ECG (ElectroCardioGram). If there is an issue, the individual’s GP is notified to ensure that they are referred to a specialist Cardiology facility, within the NHS, for further testing.

Despite the costs of an appointment and the short time available for bookings in Hornsea some people book, but do not attend, which costs money and potentially prevents someone else from attending.

This emotional and very personal talk moved some present to tears. Bro Jonathan Sykes gave a donation for the sum of £505.50

Yorkshire Masons

Questions came from Brethren and guests such as:

How many are people are affected? – 12 people die every week due to S.A.D.S.

Where is screening held? – Hornsea School, South Hunsley and Bridlington is to start shortly.

Are there any symptoms? – 80% of young sudden death, show NO symptoms

How can this issue be highlighted nationally? – Donna suggested that Members of Parliament should be contacted.