Family Fundraises for CRY Screenings in Memory of Son Martyn Luckett
Devon Live, 1st December 2019
Martyn Luckett passed away suddenly at just 19 years old in 2005 due to an undiagnosed heart condition, myocarditis. In the wake of his tragic death, his family have ensured more than 2000 young people in Devon have been screened for hidden heart conditions. Thanks to the efforts of Martyn's family, CRY visits North Devon annually.
"We would like to help as many families as possible, so they don't have maybe one day to go through the heartache we have,” said Martyn's mother, Brenda.
Murder Mystery Night Raises Funds for CRY
Tenby Observer, 1st December 2019
The Amroth Arms pub in collaboration with Harvey's Murder Mystery Group recently hosted a fundraising Murder Mystery dinner event in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). A three course meal was served to nearly 100 guests while an interactive 'Murder Mystery' took place for them to discover 'whodunnit'. Following the raffle, for which local residents and businesses generously donated the prizes, it was announced that the event had raised £568.50 for CRY.
Pub to Release ‘Tongue in Cheek” Calendar for CRY
Harborough Mail, 26th November 2019
The Nag's Head Pub in Harborough is about to release a "cheeky" calendar to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). The idea for the calendar came from Amy Lockwood, a bar maid at the pub. Her husband passed away two years ago of Brugada Syndrome, a condition that makes the heart beat rapidly which their three year old daughter, Freyja, shares.
"Freyja’s a livewire little girl and I’m sure she’ll have a normal childhood," said Amy. "She’s being regularly monitored and will be given a pacemaker when she gets to 18. But meanwhile I’d love to do something for the CRY charity because they’ve supported both me and Freyja since my husband so sadly passed away.”
Both staff and regulars of the Nag's Head are starring in the calendar. The pub's manager, Angela Denison commented: "The whole pub’s buzzing – the calendar’s the talk of the town! We all love Amy and we’re determined to do our best for her and little Freyja. We’re featuring both men and women and it’s very tongue in cheek. It’s a real mixed bag and some of the blokes will be seen with strategically-placed objects hiding their crown jewels.”
Free Cardiac Screenings to be Held at the Ageas Bowl in Memory of Claire Reed
Eastleigh News, 25th November 2019
Claire Reed was just 22 years old when she suddenly collapsed and passed away due to an undiagnosed heart condition while she was out with friends. Since she passed away in 2013, her family have honoured her memory by raising over £75,000 to provide heart screenings for young people in their local area. Claire's family, in partnership with Cardiac Risk in the Young, will be running heart screening days on the 25th and 26th of January and 15th of February 2020 in the Ageas Suite of The Ageas Bowl Cricket Ground. The first two screenings are funded by the Hampshire Cricket in the Community and by money raised at the Ladies ‘Lashes’ Charity Luncheon which was held at the Ageas Bowl earlier in the year.
Mother Raises £60k in Memory of Daughter Charlotte Adams
Maldon and Burnham Standard, 22nd November 2019
Charlotte Adams passed away at 23 years old due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Since her death, her mother Kate set up the Charlotte Adams Memorial Fund to prevent others from going through the same tragedy. Through her efforts, Kate raised more than £60,000, enough to purchase a second defibrillator at Great Totham Village Hall where Charlotte attended nursery. The Charlotte Adams Memorial Fund has also funded heart screenings events in partnership with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
"The terrible ordeal of losing my gorgeous girl has made me want to do positive things to keep her alive in our hearts and trying to prevent another family going through the same heartache," said Kate. Of the heart screening events, she added: "The screenings are really important. Charlotte was a healthy young adult with her whole life ahead of her and she died in her sleep for no reason. They believe she had an arrhythmia problem from birth - if she’d had the screening, it could’ve saved her life."
Caerphilly County Borough Council Backs Heart Screening Campaign
Caerphilly Observer, 21st November 2019
The Caerphilly County Borough Council have approved a motion to support Cardiac Risk in the Young's (CRY's) campaign for the government to introduce a national strategy for the prevention of sudden cardiac death in young people. The council also encouraged the Welsh government to consider providing a free heart screening programme for young people, especially young athletes. They also called on the Welsh government to support the introduction of a national strategy and for MPs to support CRY's campaign.
Family Ensures Young People Have Access to Heart Screenings in Memory of Son, Lee Wilson
Plymouth Live, 20th November 2019
Lee Wilson passed away in his sleep at just 19 years old due to a hidden heart condition, Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). Fourteen years later, his family and friends are working together with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to raise money to provide free heart screenings for young people so that they may be protected from hidden heart conditions. Thus far, they have managed to raise £30,000 in Lee's memory and have used some of the money to fund screenings for 200 children at the Coombe Dean School which Lee and his brothers attended.
"He never complained to us about chest pain. He never came to us and said there was something wrong," said Lee's mother, Carole. "We would love to be able to screen at every school, but it costs £5,000 for 100 people."
"Every opportunity you get [to look after your health], take it," added his father, Steve.
Father Reflects on Son, Jack Riding, As He Posthumously Saves Three Lives Through Organ Donation
Liverpool Echo, 17th November 2019
Eighteen year old footballer Jack Riding from Crosby, passed away after suddenly collapsing on the pitch while playing with his friends. It was discovered that he had an underlying heart condition called arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, which caused his heart to stop suddenly.
Following his death, his family were faced with the decision of whether or not he was an organ donor. His father Ian states that ultimately the decision was made based on what they thought Jack would have wanted.
"I think he would have wanted it. He was always one for helping people and he was always very kind-hearted," said Ian.
Jack's kidney, pancreas and liver were able to help three people; two older men and a teenaged girl. Various tissues were also donated and are being saved for suitable matches and Jack's family were told that due to his background, his tissue could be of help to injured footballers.
"That would make him happy, I think. It's a nice thing to think you're helping people through what is a sad thing," said Ian.
Jack has been awarded the Order of St John Award for Organ Donation, run by NHS Blood and Transplant. The award was received by his family and loved ones on his behalf at The Athenaeum on Church Alley in Liverpool.
His father stated: "It's all very surreal losing someone and then having them get an award. An award is supposed to be celebrated and is a happy occasion. I always felt proud of him anyway because he had a lot of other awards through football. I was very proud of him [for saving lives] because even though he was gone, he was still getting awards."
Since his son's passing, Ian set up The Jack Riding Foundation, which aims to raise awareness and provide free heart screenings to young athletes between the ages of 14 - 35. Ian has been working with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to ensure more young people are tested for hidden heart conditions like the one which took his son's life.
Mum Calls for More Heart Screenings After Son Suddenly Passes Away
Grimsby Live, 16th November 2019
Nathan Bryan passed away of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS)- a condition which causes sudden cardiac arrest, often with no prior warning signs or symptoms. His family was left devastated and now his mother, Gillian Ayling, has called for more heart screenings in the youth. Gillian says that Nathan was one of four members of the family to have heart problems but despite this, they were told he would not need to be tested for heart conditions.
"He was a happy, healthy person and was always weightlifting or walking his dog. We never thought that he had any underlying heart conditions," said Gillian. "On the morning he died, he had text me saying he was fine and he would see us later. But by 4pm we hadn't heard from him again."
Gillian continued: "My father died of a heart attack and I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, where you have irregular or fast heartbeats, after I collapsed while running a half marathon.
"Then one day when my daughter was 12, her heart started beating out of her chest at 250 to 300 beats per minute. She had to have an injection to stop and restart it. She was eventually diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which she needed surgery to fix.
"We asked at the time if Nathan would need testing for heart conditions. The doctors said no. Nowadays, conditions like these are a lot better understood and all close relatives would be tested but there wasn't the same understanding then."
Now Gillian wishes to encourage all young people to get tested, whether they consider themselves to be completely healthy.
"The charity CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young - does wonderful work to raise awareness and support families who have lost someone. They also offer counselling by people who have experienced losing a child themselves through cardiac problems," said Gillian. "No matter how fit and healthy they feel, everyone should take the time to get screened."
Millport Community Gather in Memory of Steven Blair to Fundraise for CRY
Largs & Millport Weekly News, 17th November 2019
Steven was just 31 when he passed away suddenly from a heart attack in February of 2012. His parents, Hunter and Susan, have since arranged an annual event at the Newton Bar Lounge to raise funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Steven was very popular and the local community have rallied around his family to raise money for CRY through various fundraising activities, including a run around the island. This year, the community will gather at the Newton Bar Lounge on the 7th of December.
"We have raised almost £25,000 since we started, which is a tremendous figure," said Susan. "We can't thank the community enough, everyone's support has meant so much to us." She continued: "Steven worked for the council as a driver. Whether it was collecting bins or gritting the roads, he was an ever-present on the island, someone who loved to help people.
"He was also a great son, brother, grandson and friend to many on Millport. He was taken far too soon from all of us.
"Steven was a big part of the community and everybody misses him. He was a bit of a practical joker and he had quite a unique sense of humour. We have the quiz at this time of year because the build-up to Christmas was always a special time for him. He loved this time of year."
Charity Swimathon for CRY
Romford Recorder, 12th November 2019
Swimclub, the Havering Dolphins of Hornchurch, are organising a charity Swimathon to be held on the 7th of December. The fundraising event will be in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) with 100% of the money raised going towards funding CRY's research into prevention and detection and raising awareness of the risks of underlying cardiac conditions in young people.
"It is such an important cause, a condition that can affect any age group and is currently undetectable and people aren't aware of it," said the organiser of the event, Lynette Dyer.
Fundraising Fashion Show in Memory of Martyn Luckett
North Devon Gazette, 13th November 2019
Martyn Luckett passed away at just 19 years old in 2005 of an undiagnosed heart condition. Since his passing, his family have worked together with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to bring annual screenings to North Devon. Now, the Luckett family is organising a charity Fashion Show to raise money for another free heart screening in the community.
"We have tirelessly made it our mission to ensure Martyn did not die in vain by making this screening available locally so other families do not suffer the terrible loss like we have," said Martyn's mother, Brenda.
The event will take place at the Woolsery Community Centre on Tuesday, 26th November and will showcase businesses such as Edinburgh Woolen Mill and bridal shop Always and Forever, as well as products like makeup, handbags and accessories, giving attendees a chance to do some Christmas shopping.
Family Fundraises for CRY in Memory of Cristopher Rushton
Lincolnshire Live, 20th October 2019
Christopher Rushton passed away suddenly this year at only 32 years old of an undiagnosed heart condition. His family, devastated by his passing, decided to honour his memory by fundraising for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). His parents, Christine and Bob Rushton, along with other members of the family, took part in the CRY Heart of Durham Walk to raise money to fund CRY heart screenings.
"We have lost our wonderful son which has broke all our hearts," said Christine. "The Durham Walk is about raising awareness in the hope that this doesn't happen to other families."
Shetland CRY Fundraising Campaign Nears £25,000 Target
Shetland News, 14th October 2019
A campaign to bring Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) free heart screenings to Shetland is now near its original target of £25,000, having raised more than £23,000 following 6 months of fundraising events such as a sponsored toddler cycle and walk, Sunday tea, concerts, buffets, head shaves and more. The group behind the campaign, Shetland Heart Screening, was formed by Siobhan Pirie whose husband, John Pirie, passed away suddenly in 2017 at only 29 years old due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Siobhan wished to provide free heart screenings for everyone in Shetland, aged 14 - 35, in memory of her husband and began to fundraise to bring CRY screenings to the community.
"This total of £25,000 was going to be enough to guarantee two lots of screening, in 2021 and 2023, so to reach that in less than six months is overwhelming and something we never expected," Siobhan said. "Once we reach the target we won’t just be stopping either. We will keep raising money in order to allow the screenings to keep happening for years to come."
Mum Completes Annual CRY Heart of Durham Every Year in Memory of Son Kevin Paterson
Sunderland Echo, 13th October 2019
In 2012, 36 year old Kevin Paterson collapsed minutes after completing the Birmingham Half Marathon. He passed away of a previously undiagnosed heart condition on the way to the hospital. Since then, his family has worked with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), raising tens of thousands of pounds in order fund screenings and promote awareness of conditions like the one which took Kevin's life. His mother Patricia, along with family and friends, has been completing the annual CRY Durham Walk for the past 7 years. She states: "We all feel really strongly about continuing to raise awareness. At the walk, you look around and know that other people know how you’re feeling. It’s sad, but it is comforting."
