The heartbroken parents of a keen cyclist who suffered cardiac arrest and died 20 minutes into the ride, are honouring his memory by helping to prevent sudden cardiac deaths among other young people.
A major fundraising drive in support of CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) has since become Alex’s lasting legacy after being set up by devoted parents, Audrey and Gareth Jones.
They said: “Alex’s life was tragically cut short whilst taking part in a sport he loved and excelled at. “Prior to his death in 2019, Alex had been progressing well in cycling and local competitions, but after contracting a virus which resulted in some scar tissue on his heart, Alex was urged to stay off the bike for a few months to allow his heart tissue to repair. “There was no family history of any underlying heart condition and having received favourable medical reports in early 2019, he resumed leisure cycling, whilst awaiting the final all clear to return to competition.
They set up the Alex Jones CRY Memorial Fund to pay for specific screening programmes for active young people in North Wales in a bid to identify and treat those at risk. The goal is to fund a bespoke event that will offer 100 free screenings to anyone aged between 14-35 in the region.
On average, 12 fit and healthy people die suddenly in the UK every week from undiagnosed cardiac conditions. CRY’s work is dedicated to preventing such tragedies through awareness, screening and research.
Friend and fellow Welsh cyclist Dan Evans was among many to pay tribute to Alex after he died.
He said: “Alex was unique, the perfect gentleman both on and off the bike but with a ruthless competitive streak defining him as a true racer.
“As a friend he was thoughtful, supportive, always enthusiastic but the bit of Alex that always stood out was his positivity.
* To make a donation to Alex’s CRY Memorial Fund please click here.
* A raffle in his memory to win a signed Wales rugby shirt can be entered by clicking here.
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