Thank you to our incredible supporters who joined us on Sunday the 5th October, for the 16th annual CRY Heart of Durham Walk!
Thank you to our incredible supporters who joined us on Sunday, 5th October, for the annual CRY Heart of Durham Walk! This year marked the 30th year of CRY as a charity, and the 16th year of the walk. We are deeply grateful to all 252 walkers and volunteers who joined us on the day, many of whom travelled from far to come together to remember those who have died of Young Sudden Cardiac Death.
Several members of our CRY team attended and helped set up the event, including Ben Robinson, Cara MacMillan, Lily Burke, Tilly Parker, and Shannon Skehan. As always, it was a strong team effort, with Ben driving the CRY team from Surrey to Durham, bringing all the equipment needed for the day. With the kind support of the staff at Durham Amateur Rowing Club, who generously host the walk each year, we were able to set up on the morning of the event, ensuring everything was ready for our first walkers bright and early.
From 9:30 am, walkers began arriving at the Rowing Club, greeted by a riverbank lined with vibrant green trees and a path dotted with fallen leaves. Our photographer, Doug Moody, was on hand to capture the morning as supporters and their furry companions – many proudly sporting CRY T-shirts – enjoyed breakfast and warmed up with hot drinks from the café.
CRY volunteer Marie Miller assisted at the ‘On-the-Day Registration’ marquee, where walkers could register, pick up their CRY T-shirts, and collect route maps or download the digital version. We are glad to say that 50 supporters registered on the day!
With everyone gathered, Cara from the CRY team opened the Durham Walk with a warm welcome and introduced the organisers, Jeff Morland and Steve Percival, who kindly volunteer their time. Jeff and Steve, who began the walk in 2009 in memory of Jeff’s son Levon, spoke about the significance of the day and the vital importance of raising awareness to help prevent further tragedies. Steve then read aloud the names of each young person our supporters were walking to remember, pausing briefly after each name to give families and friends time to clap and cheer in celebration of their loved one’s life or to observe a moment of silence.
After the speeches, participants set off at 11 am, guided by CRY volunteers Jeff and Steve, along with David Crow and David Jewell. The walkers followed a route that meandered through Durham’s cobbled streets up to Durham Cathedral, where supporters were invited to light a candle and reflect. From there, they crossed historic bridges, passed through the bustling marketplace and made their way back to the rowing club.
Our CRY volunteers, Pat and Dorothy, warmly welcomed walkers back and handed out medals, while CRY staff member, Tilly, photographed supporters as they returned from the walk and shared quiet moments together. Supporters then took time to rest and enjoy refreshments from the Rowing Club café.
CRY volunteer Marie, then generously assisted at the merchandise stand, where supporters could pick up everything from eagerly awaited Christmas cards to fluffy teddy bears for the children.
Supporters also had the chance to write messages for their loved ones on the message wall. The online version of the wall will remain open until next year, while any messages written on the back signs were collected to be displayed at the CRY head office.
CRY’s Heart of Durham Walk is a unique experience for everyone. While some families have joined us for many years, 2025 also welcomed many first-time attendants. We hope the walk provides all attendees with a meaningful opportunity to remember their loved ones, share cherished memories, and connect with one another.
We deeply appreciate everyone who attended, coming together to remember loved ones lost to Young Sudden Cardiac Death and to support those living with inherited cardiac conditions.
Thank you!
First and foremost, we want to thank all our incredible supporters who join us each year!
We want to say a big thank you to Doug Moody, a local photographer who, year after year, captures beautiful pictures of our walkers throughout the day.
We would like to thank the Durham Amateur Rowing Club for providing us the venue at a discount, and whose generosity is greatly appreciated.
Thank you to Durham University Cricket Club for allowing our supporters to use the club’s car park. As well as the Durham Safety Advisory Group and Asset Management Team for approving the route.
Finally, a big thank you to our amazing volunteers, Jeff and Steve, Pat and Dorothy, Marie, David J, David C and our CRY staff members, Cara, Ben, Lily, Tilly and Shannon.
This year’s participants were walking and volunteering in memory of:
Jack Balfour, Lewis Barry, Andrew Callender,, John Chapelhow, Joseph Clark, Dan Cook, Charlie Craig, Thomas Day, Adam Dearnley, Ben Forsyth, Ashley Goodwin, Edward Greed, Dean Graham Henderson, Emma Hurlbut, John Ibbotson, Damien Jewell, Eleanor Keeler, Jake Lister, Alan Lumley, Pat McLaughlan, Stephanie McLean, Amy Moore, Levon Morland, David Page, Kevin Paterson, Benedict Peters, Laurence Portaluri, Alexandra Reid, Charlotte Richardson, Christopher Rushton, Mike Scott, Jack Sheilds, Robert Daniel Smith, Hannah Stanton, Jono Stead, Benji Walker, David Wallace, David White and Anja Wilson.
