Patrons

“I am delighted to accept the position of Honorary President of CRY’s Centre of Sports Cardiology – the first dedicated Sports Cardiology Unit in the world. We want all kids to have heart tests just as they do annually in Italy. Development of the Sports Cardiology Unit is crucial to underpin CRY’s very ambitious screening...

Former English rugby union footballer “Following the sad and sudden death of Scott Donkin whilst playing mini rugby in our region, the charity was brought to my attention. As this is clearly a much bigger problem than is given coverage, I am delighted to help in any way.”

“I’m pleased to offer my support to this truly worthy organisation. That so many healthy young people die from this silent syndrome is tragic. CRY is working hard to protect our young people with their programs for research and prevention. I’m glad to add my voice to CRY.”

“It gives me great pleasure to be a Patron of CRY. Cardiomyopathy is a genuine risk to sportsmen and women worldwide and it is essential to create awareness of its silent existence. With my involvement with tennis in the UK I will endeavour to continue the screening of our national players and provide information to...

“Cardiac Risk in the Young has a place in my heart because too many people are being taken from us in the prime of their lives and we must do everything in our power to reduce the number of these tragedies.”

“I am pleased to have been asked to be a CRY patron. As a professional footballer I played for Stoke City FC for 9 years and eventually became captain. Most recently I played for Leicester City, during which time I suffered severe cardiac problems which forced me to retire from the game. I now realise...

“I’m very honoured to be a patron for the charity CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young. The work they do is amazing, and so crucial, especially in young athletes. The main reason I have wanted to get involved is after a good friend and team mate from Cobham RFC, Matt Cragg passed away from...

“I am delighted to have become a patron of CRY to help raise awareness of this condition and the work CRY are doing to combat it. Undiagnosed cardiac conditions are a genuine risk to sports people across the country and it is essential to make people aware in an attempt to prevent future tragedy.”

“It is a privilege for me to support CRY as a Patron. In my current role as a Harlequins and England rugby player, I am well aware of the importance of cardiac screening in sport and will help in whatever way I can to raise awareness and support CRY’s campaign to reduce the terrible number...

“I am pleased to be able to support CRY as a Patron. Young people need to look after themselves and understand more about their health. I fully support CRY’s campaign for screening and greater awareness of potentially fatal cardiac conditions. My advice is simple – use your head and check your heart.” Photograph courtesy of...

“CRY has had a huge impact in raising awareness of young sudden cardiac death with coroners, working to provide essential support services for those that have suffered a tragedy and funding free expert fast-track cardiac pathology to reduce the wait for the pathologists’ Post Mortem for those bereaved. I would be pleased to help them...

“I feel very privileged to be a Patron of CRY. The work of this charity is truly life changing and I genuinely feel that we can all make a difference through our efforts. I am full of admiration for the progress, which has already been made, and I look forward to helping continue all the...

“Like many of you, I’ve read about fit, young people dying without warning because of an undiagnosed heart condition. As a mother of two, I’ve barely dared to imagine the terrible grief of these youngsters’ families and prayed that I might never have to endure such shocking bereavement. It didn’t occur to me that there...

“I am honoured to become a Patron of CRY and look forward to supporting the CRY screening clinics in Northern Ireland.”

“Howard English was a friend who was an amazing guy and an outstanding rugby player. The ultimate Bon Viveur. It was a truly shocking moment when he died suddenly during one of our rugby games. When someone dies in your arms like that on the side of a rugby pitch it is not something you...

“I became a CRY Patron following my own treatment and from finding out the very positive effects that the charity has. Raising awareness of these potentially fatal heart conditions and how they can be treated if identified in time, is crucial. I hope that me telling my story more young people will consider it is...

“I am honoured to be asked to become a patron for CRY Northern Ireland. It is a fantastic charity and setting up this clinic for the people of Northern Ireland has taken a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment. I look forward to working closely with CRY in the future and supporting their campaign...

“I am privileged to have become a patron of CRY. I have been very fortunate to enjoy a career playing cricket, however a close friend of mine, Ben Simpson, with whom I grew up playing sport, suddenly lost his life whilst playing a game of hockey. CRY does a fantastic amount of work in raising...

“The Northern Ireland sports community has become acutely aware of Sudden Death Syndrome in the past two years following the tragic and untimely deaths of two top young sports stars – Cormac McAnallen (Tyrone GAA) and John McCall (Irish U19 Rugby). I am delighted to be associated with CRY’s campaign as it attempts to raise...

“I’ve become a patron of CRY as it affects so many young people and it’s crazy that a seemingly fit and young person can just drop down dead. I feel it’s important to raise awareness and will be using my new role to spread the word.”        

“If this can help save just one young life it’s worth doing. I am happy to be involved.”

“I would encourage everyone to get screened, whether you are involved in sport or not. I am honoured to be a Patron of CRY and I fully support its screening programme.”

Lee is a former English rugby union footballer, who played hooker at Bath and for England and had 42 England caps during his 16 year career in professional rugby. On 11 February 2013 Lee was diagnosed with a heart abnormality that forced him to immediately retire from his professional rugby career. We were delighted to...

“Having seen the horror of a young life cut short at the end of a summer run, I’m committed to helping CRY and to raising awareness of a silent killer we can all do more to combat.”

“I have a strong affinity with CRY after a 16 year-old school friend of mine died suddenly.  If you are fit and healthy the only way that you can find out whether you are carrying an undiagnosed heart condition that could kill you is to be tested.  CRY give young people the chance to know....

“This year I was invited to start CRY’s 3rd Bridges Walk in London. I was very fortunate to spend the day talking to the remarkable families and friends who have lost children and continue to support CRY for others; and also with Alison Cox, the Founder of CRY, who gave me an insight into cardiac...

“I am pleased to be a patron of CRY having had first hand experience of the impact of such a death. Robert Hayley was my best friend and crewmate. He was extremely fit and we had just recently as juniors won a senior race together. We had been watching TV. He suddenly stood up and...

“I became involved with CRY after the Fell Family contacted me telling me about the tragic loss of their son Josh and what happens to 12 apparently fit and healthy young people each week, asking if I would be interested in helping raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death and CRY and the work that...

“I am delighted and honoured to have become a CRY patron as I have been aware of CRY since my friend, Alex Reid, died suddenly of a cardiac arrest in June 2012, when she was only 16. I have supported several CRY fundraising events organised in memory of Alex and want to do whatever I...

“I am honoured to become a patron of CRY as Alison and the team were influential in my ability to come to terms with being diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. CRY’s work is, and will continue to be, instrumental in the diagnosis and prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in young people, and I am delighted and...

“I have supported a number of CRY events and am very pleased to become a Patron. CRY does outstanding work in identifying young people who are at risk from this silent killer through their unique screening programme. Tennis is a long time supporter of CRY and with my background in sport I would be delighted...

“The fight against sudden death in the young can be won only through prevention and to this aim the collaboration with families of sudden death victims is crucial.”

“In 2006, rugby mourned the loss of Irish flanker John McCall who died in the opening match of the U19 World Cup in Durban. I was playing in South Africa at the time and it was such a shock to see a young, fit man dying during a rugby game. I was lost for words...

“CRY used to be an organisation that I thought would only touch a few people and that I would be lucky enough not to be one of those. In 2008 a good friend died without warning on a rugby pitch, he was extraordinarily fit and in his 50s; his son was playing in the same...

“I firmly believe that all young people should attend cardiac screening whether they are involved in sport or not. It is important to know that you are fit to compete in the sport of your choice. Likewise if a problem is diagnosed, it can be treated. It is better to be safe. My message is...

“I am very pleased to have become a patron of CRY. The charity does amazing work in raising awareness of cardiac risk in the young. The tragedy is that the deaths of so many young people from cardiac problems are preventable, and I am really impressed with CRY’s scope as a charity. Not only does...

“It was following the tragic death of Harry Faulkner – aged 18 when he died suddenly whilst playing squash – that I became aware of CRY and the amazing work that they do; and it was something I wanted to be a part of. I’m delighted to have become a CRY Patron. I feel very...

“I chose CRY as my charity of choice for two reasons. Firstly, a close friend’s brother recently passed away with cardiac symptoms and secondly I am aware of the work CRY does as I have had my heart checked through the fast track athletes screening service at the CRY Centre for Sports Cardiology. Thank you...

  “I am very pleased to have been asked to become a Patron of CRY. I am aware of young people dying suddenly whilst playing football and taking part in other activities, however, 12 a week is a really shocking total. With my background in football, I hope that I am going to be able...

“CRY’s outstanding work leading the field in addressing young sudden cardiac death is to be applauded. The fast track services they now offer, including funding of coroners’ referrals to the CRY Centre for Expert Cardiac Pathology, are urgently needed – as is their innovative cardiac screening programme, both in the community and sport. I am...