Witham Family Raises Funds for CRY in Memory of Daughter Kayleigh Griffiths
Essex Live, 2nd March 2020
Twenty-three year old Kayleigh Griffiths was on holiday in Spain with a friend when she suddenly collapsed by the swimming pool. It was later discovered that she suffered a heart attack by the pool and another one subsequently in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. She was on life support for three days, with doctors doing their best to revive her, but eventually her parents, Leon and Wendy, received the devastating news that there was no brain activity.
"She wouldn't be able to breathe on her own or perform any of the other functions. She was being totally supported by the machine," said Leon."They came to the conclusion that there was no brain activity so we had to say goodbye to her. It was horrendous, absolutely horrendous... We didn't actually know it was her heart until we had the results of the post mortem, which was quite a while after. She had an undiagnosed condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy."
Following this tragedy, Leon and Wendy began researching their daughter's condition. This led them to Cardiac Risk in The Young (CRY) and to getting involved in fundraising and raising awareness for the charity to conduct heart screenings for young people. They have now raised enough money to fund a heart screening in their home town.
"It takes the whole day and they bring all the equipment to monitor everybody, it's an electrocardiogram (ECG) and they know what they're looking for. They also bring an ultrasound in case there's anything they're not happy with," Leon explained.
Kayleigh's family raised around £8,500 for the screening; £5,000 for the actual event, with the rest going towards support CRY's work in raising awareness and researching cardiac conditions in young people. Since setting up the Kayleigh Memorial Fund following their daughter's death in 2017, Wendy and Leon have raised more than £20,000 to help young people at risk.
CRY's Chief Executive, Dr Steven Cox, stated: "The vast majority of our screenings are supported through the inspiring and tireless fundraising efforts of families who have suffered the tragic and sudden loss of a child, sibling or partner. I find it so humbling that families, such as Kayleigh’s - who have raised over £17,000 in order to bring screenings to their local area - are able to see beyond their own horrendous experience to raise funds and awareness for CRY, playing a vital part in preventing other families from having to endure the same devastating grief as they have."
Cyclists Unite to Fundraise for CRY in Memory of Alex Jones
North Wales Chronicle, 26th February 2020
An avid cyclist, 30 year old Alex Jones was out on his bike when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and passed away in March of last year. To mark the anniversary of his passing, 35 of his cycling friends have planned to do a fundraising charity ride with the aim of raising £5000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in Alex's memory. Alex's mother, Audrey, said: "Alex was out cycling on a sunny afternoon in the Denbighshire hills that he loved when he suffered a cardiac arrest and died. He was just 20 minutes into his ride. Having experienced the devastation of losing our son in this way we want to do what we can to raise awareness and support CRY’s work to cut sudden young cardiac deaths. We have set up a CRY Memorial Fund for Alex and all proceeds from the day will go to the fund."
The Alex Jones Memorial Charity Ride will take place on Saturday, 28th March.
Asda Donates £1,000 to Jack’s Appeal with CRY as Part of Their ‘Chosen By You’ Scheme
South Wales Argus, 24th February 2020
Under the scheme, customers nominate a charity by donating a shopping token and the charities with the three highest numbers of tokens receive a donation. Jack's Appeal with Cardiac Risk in the Young was chosen at the Asda store in Blackwood. The fund provides free cardiac screenings to young people between the ages of 14 and 35 at Oakdale Surgery and was set up by June Thomas in memory of her son Jack, who passed away of an undiagnosed heart condition in 2012 at just 15 years old. The amount usually given for Asda's charity scheme is £500 but was doubled to celebrate the store's anniversary.
Kevin Macnicol Fundraises for CRY in Memory of Hamish Ross
The Northern Times, 25th February 2020
Golspie resident Kevin Macnicol, 36, has asked friends and family to donate to the Hamish Ross Memorial Fund for his birthday on February 29th instead of giving him presents. The Memorial Fund raises money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of 15 year old Hamish Ross who passed away suddenly last year. The fundraiser is open for three weeks and raised £245 in the first two days.
Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society Quiz Night Raises £600 For CRY
Western Telegraph, 18th February 2020
The Let's Get Quizzical event was held at The Pavillion, County Showground, with teams travelling from near and far to take part. The winners were the Past Presidents team, made up of captain Dick Davies, Roger Mathias, Richard Cole and Mike Davies. Second place went to Wuhan United and the Pussycats were in third. All of the teams donated their prize money to Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Alan Mason, whose 26 year old son Dean tragically passed away of an undiagnosed heart condition, gave a brief talk on the charity and its work in providing screenings for young people. Nicola Owen, president of the society, expressed her delight at the success of the event and thanked quizmaster Dennis Reed and his scorers, the winners, for donating their prize money to charity, and everyone for attending.
Portrait Picturing Three Generations of a Shoreham Family Wins Fundraising Competition
Worthing Herald, 18th February 2020
The portrait was of Liz and Bob Towner, their two daughters, their husbands and their four grandchildren and was taken by Stephen Sajnog of Focus Photography in Shoreham to celebrate Bob's birthday. Sajnog was also named Family Portrait Photographer of the Year by The UK Professional Photographers Organisation. The organisation is a group of fifty studios and every year they raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) by offering their services for a £10 donation to charity.
Hampshire Police to take on charity motorcycle ride From One Rock to Another
Island Echo, 14th February 2020
Setting off from the Isle of Wight on 12th May 2020 PC Adam Hinkley and retired Inspector Kate Fowles will be riding 2,500 miles to Gibraltar Rock and back to raise money for 2 charities - Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust.
PC Hinkley's wife Lucy, who works at the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust, lost her brother years ago to an undiagnosed heart condition and has been fundraising for CRY ever since.
Interview with Guru Randhawa at the “For Natasha” concert
British Asia News, 17th February 2020
Artists from across the Indian music industry came together at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith on Sunday 16th February to celebrate the life of Arjun's late wife Natasha Sandhu for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
The "For Natasha" concert was organised by Dil Mil with Guru Randhawa flying in from India to support his friend Arjun. Gura Randhawa gave an exclusive interview.
Shipyard Workers Receive CRY Heart Screenings In Memory of Daniel Hughes
The Mail, 7th February 2020
Since David Hughes' 28 year old son, Daniel, passed away of a heart condition in 2015, he and his family have worked with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to raise awareness and funding to prevent young sudden cardiac death. Nearly 100 BAE Systems workers in Barrow were able to receive free heart screening thanks to their efforts.
BAE Systems' Director of Safety, Health and Environment (SHE), Angela Barker, stated: "We're delighted to be able to support a second screening of our apprentices at the submarines academy today. This kind of activity is one of a series of health and well-being initiatives BAE Systems support. CRY's initiative is to be welcomed and we look forward to working closely with the charity in the future."
Free CRY Heart Screenings At Ageas Bowl
Daily Echo, 4th February 2020
Two hundred young people, including Eastleigh MP Paul Holmes, received free heart screenings provided by Hampshire Cricket Foundation in collaboration with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Hampshire Cricket Foundation Director, Stuart Robertson, said: "We are delighted to support CRY’s cardiac screening programme and I would like to thank the many generous donors to the Hampshire Cricket Foundation, especially those from our annual Ladies Lashes Lunch that have enabled us to do this."
CRY's Chief Executive, Dr Steven Cox, stated: "It is a great honour to be associated with the new ‘Changing Lives. Saving Lives’ initiative spearheaded by Hampshire Cricket Foundation. The campaign shares the same ethos as CRY and we were delighted to bring our team of experts to the Ageas Bowl. Every week in the UK, around 12 young people under the age of 35 die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. 80 per cent of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms. However, we know that cardiac screening saves lives and in Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in organised sport, they have reduced the incidence of young sudden cardiac death by a staggering 89 per cent."
Deborah Dixon Wins at Community ReAwards for Work in Support of CRY
Northwich Guardian, 30th January 2020
Over 100 people people filled the Vale Royal Abbey last Friday to celebrate the Northwich Community ReAwards; an event which recognises and rewards the charitable efforts of volunteers in the local community.
Sam Newey, organiser of the event, stated: "We were delighted with the response to this year's Community ReAwards, from the overwhelming nominations, bringing incredible stories of volunteering and acts of giving in our community, to the support on the night. With over 100 attendees at the special ‘Thank You’ and awards evening, hosted by Vale Royal Abbey, the room was filled with excitement, laughs, support and a few tears too. Showcasing the amazing work of volunteers, charities and community groups, it was easy to see the impact their work has on not just the Northwich and Vale Royal community but further afield too, as we learnt of our nominees work championing support worldwide."
Among the awardees was Deborah Dixon, who won Voluntary Fundraiser of the Year for her work in support of CRY.
MP Paul Holmes Speaks in Support of Routine Cardiac Screening
Eastleigh News, 27th January 2020
Eastleigh MP Paul Holmes has voiced his support of routine cardiac screening for youths between the ages of 14 and 35. His expression of support comes after he took part in a screening event carried out by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) over the weekend. Over the course of the two day event, 200 young people were screened for cardiac abnormalities that could lead to Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD), including the 31 year old MP.
The event was organised by the Hampshire Cricket Foundation and took place at the Ageas Bowl. Funded by money raised at a Ladies Lashes Charity Luncheon at the Bowl, it was free of charge to those attending. The screenings were in memory of Claire Reed, a local young woman who passed away due to YSCD while celebrating at a hen party with friends. Her parents, Graham and Anne Hunter, attended the event and were able to express to the MP their grief over the sudden loss of their daughter and their disappointment with the UK National Screening Committee deciding against recommending cardiac screening be offered to all young people on the NHS. Graham and Anne have raised thousands of pounds in order to fund screenings that could save young lives and prevent other families from experiencing their pain.
MP Paul Holmes had this to say:
"This sort of screening can help save the lives of countless young people who may have undiagnosed heart conditions and could be at risk. There is a strong argument for a pilot screening programme which would build the case for a national screening programme for all young people. I’ll be writing to the Health Secretary next week to make this point and praise all the volunteers who give up their time to conduct the screening sessions."
BetVictor Northern Premier League Teams Up with CRY to Offer Free Heart Tests
The Non-League Paper, 27th January 2020
Partnering with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in support of the Daniel Wilkinson Foundation, the BetVictor Northern Premier League (NPL) is offering free heart screenings to fans, players and officials ages 14 to 35 at the North West Cardiac Centre in Preston on the 13th and 14th of March. The NPL began working with CRY following the sudden death to an undiagnosed heart condition of 24 year old Shaw Lane defender Daniel Wilkinson. According to the NPL, these upcoming screenings will be in memory of Andrew Parr.
Cardiac Risk in the Young to Embark on 12 Month Partnership with Sunrise Radio
This news comes alongside the announcement that MD of Sunrise Radio, Tony Lit MBE, has been made a new Ambassador for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Tony first approached CRY following the death due to an undiagnosed heart condition of the 17 year old son of a family friend. As a father of three himself, Tony made the pledge, "whatever support Sunrise Radio and I can give personally, over and above, I shall do so."
Initially, the partnership between CRY and Sunrise Radio will run for 12 months and will entail advertising, community messaging, interviews and testimonials with CRY’s medical experts and families who have been affected by young sudden cardiac death, as well as social media posts and video content on the Sunrise Radio YouTube Channel. Already, on-air promotions are planned to support and advertise major CRY events such as the annual “Heart of London Bridges Walk” as well as a concert soon to be held at the Hammersmith Apollo on 16th February. This event is organised by singer-song writer Arjun [Coomaraswamy], in memory of his wife, Natasha, who tragically passed away of sudden cardiac arrest in September 2018 at just 30 years old.
Tony stated: "The responsibility of running an iconic radio service like Sunrise Radio goes far beyond selling commercials and programming airtime for me and my team. Sunrise is now in its 31st year of broadcasting to the South Asian community and over the years it has become much more than a source for entertainment but is also relied upon for important community messages, news and information. It’s absolutely vital that we do our bit in society and support charitable organisations like CRY. There can be nothing worse than losing a young life needlessly in our country in this day and age. That’s why awareness campaigns like this are so important as we work together with CRY to save young lives and invoke real change in communities across the United Kingdom."
The Deepings School screening in memory of Lucy Jessop
Rutland & Stamford Mercury, 15th January 2020
Over 200 pupils, parents, and teachers attended a heart screening run by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of Lucy Jessop (a former student) over the weekend.
Lucy died in 2015 from an undiagnosed heart condition but was a well-respected student at The Deepings School.
The Headteacher, Richard Lord, said “We were honoured to respect Lucy’s memory by holding a second screening event and will continue to assist her family and friends with fundraising activities and practical support that benefits cardiac screening for young people.”
