We are sad to share the news that CRY Patron, Kathryn Harries OBE died on 26th May aged 72 after a 2 year long battle with cancer.
Kathryn was a renowned soprano operatic singer and a well-respected teacher and coach. Kathryn Harries obituary | Opera | The Guardian Added to that was the boundless energy which she put into all the incredible work she did to support charities.
Kathryn became a CRY Patron in 2006, having been greatly affected after hearing how many parents suffered the devastating loss of a child.
In the same year, Kathryn came to CRY with the idea of a ‘London Bridges Walk’ which she undertook in 2007, determined to raise awareness. The CRY Heart of London Bridges Walk evolved and developed from this, and has become CRY’s flagship event. Every year hundreds of CRY families and supporters come together at the Bridges Walk from all over the UK. Looking Back at 25: The history of CRY’s Heart of London Bridges Walk – Cardiac Risk in the Young (c-r-y.org.uk)
Kathryn continued to play a key role at the Heart of London Bridges Walk, attending many of the events over the following years, speaking about her support for CRY, and performing for us before leading the walk. This event would not have happened without Kathryn and she was so pleased the event was continuing even when she was no longer able to attend.
Kathryn was always willing to lend her support to CRY whenever she could. She attended numerous CRY Parliamentary Receptions to help to raise awareness with MPs, and in 2011 she kindly leant her extraordinary talents to perform ‘Rejoice Greatly’ at the CRY fundraising event ‘Carols for CRY’.
Kathryn’s support for CRY over more than 15 years has been fantastic, and we are so grateful for all that she has done.
Kathryn’s family have passed on their best wishes for the success of this year’s walk on 25th June.
She will be greatly missed by everyone who was fortunate to have known her.