Regional News

The Mail, 19th July 2019

BAE Systems Apprentices in Barrow received free heart screenings organised by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) at the suggestion of David Hughes, whose 28 year old son, Daniel, passed away suddenly of an undiagnosed heart condition in 2015. This condition was later diagnosed as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and since his death, his parents have worked with CRY to provide heart screenings for young people between the ages of 14 and 35; screenings which can detect underlying heart conditions like the one which took Daniel's life.

"From my own personal experience, having lost my son at the age of 28 from an undiagnosed heart condition, I can’t stress enough the importance of attending if you have an appointment," said David. "It only takes 15 minutes to have the ECG and, if it picks an issue up, the CRY team is on hand to provide advice."

Of the 101 BAE Systems apprentices who signed up for the screening event, two were referred for further testing and one have been recommended to have another test in the future.

According to David: "These figures show just how important screening is, the two young people who have been referred had no idea they had a problem when they arrived for work yesterday morning. I hope this is the start of a regular series of testing that could potentially save a life."

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About My Area, 18th July 2019

Justin Madder MP gave his support to Cardiac Risk in the Young's (CRY) campaign for a national strategy to combat young, sudden cardiac death (YSCD) at a recent parliamentary event. He stated:

"Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young (aged 35 and under) people in the UK die suddenly from an undiagnosed heart defect. In 80% of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms until it is too late. It is important that we establish a national strategy for the prevention of young sudden cardiac death and ensure the government acts to prevent the hundreds of deaths of young people each year from these undiagnosed cardiac conditions."

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Rochdale Online, 18th July 2019

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is among the charities and projects to which MP Tony Lloyd offers his support in his 'Letter from Parliament'. He writes :

"In Parliament, I attended an event organised by the charity ‘Cardiac Risk in the Young’ (CRY) to lend my support to their ongoing campaign for a national strategy for the prevention of young sudden cardiac death. It often surprises people that every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy, young (aged 35 and under) people in the UK die suddenly from an undiagnosed heart defect. In 80% of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms until it is too late, which is why CRY believes screening is so vitally important... The government must create a national strategy to prevent the hundreds of deaths of young people each year from these undiagnosed cardiac conditions."

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Epping Forest Guardian, 18th July 2019

Over 200 people attended the Epping Forest District funded screening event organised by Della Tudisca in memory of her daughter, Issy, who passed away due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Della has hosted six Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) screening events thus far. More than 1,350 young people have received screenings for potentially fatal underlying heart conditions due to her efforts which include running the London Marathon and completing the south coast 100km challenge in 24 hours to raise money for CRY.

Epping Forest District Council’s Public Health and Grant Aid programme funded the event with support from Buckhurst Hill Parish Council. The Grange Farm Trust and Colebrook Royals Football Club offered support by providing a venue and volunteers.

“The screenings are vital to both young people and their families to prevent tragedies, ” said Grange Farm deputy site manager, Tom Hyde; one of the many screened that day. “I’m surprised that something so simple that can save countless lives is not mandatory in schools. I found the process of undertaking the screening very relaxing and thanks to the professionalism and reassurance from the CRY Staff.”

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Cumbria Crack, 17th July 2019

The BAE Systems apprentices were tested for underlying heart conditions on Wednesday 17th July in Barrow. The heart screening event was organised by Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) at the suggestion of David Hughes. In 2015, David's son, Daniel, passed away suddenly at 28 years old due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Since then, David and his family have worked with CRY to raise awareness of conditions that can cause young, sudden cardiac death. Over 100 of the Barrow BAE Systems apprentices signed up for the heart screening.

“From my own personal experience, having lost my son at the age of 28 from an undiagnosed heart condition, I can’t stress enough the importance of attending if you have an appointment,” David said. “It only takes 15 minutes to have the ECG and, if it picks an issue, up the CRY team is on hand to provide advice.”

He added: “It’s great that BAE Systems has decided to screen a number of their new apprentices here in Barrow. We had over one hundred people sign up and I hope this is the start of a regular series of testing that could change and potentially save a life.”

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CRY CEO Dr Steven Cox spoke with Mike Zeller on BBC Radio Cumbria this morning about the importance of CRY screenings, followed by CRY supporter, David Hughes, who is holding a screening for 100 young interns at the Barrow Shipyard this weekend, in memory of his son, Daniel.

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Stoke Sentinel, 13th July 2019

Dan Hughes passed away at just 28 years old in March of 2015. Since then, his parents, Sue and David Hughes have been fundraising for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in his memory, raising more than £200,000 to support the charity's heart screenings for young people. The Dan Hughes Memorial Cricket Tournament and Fun Day is their annual event, this year held at the Bignall End Cricket Club on Sunday. This year, visitors had a chance to win a Kia Picanto, supplied by Ken Jervis Kia in Cobridge.

“We are very grateful to Mark Hudson and everyone at Ken Jervis Kia for supporting us in this way. It’s fantastic we have been able to work together to make this happen,” said David. “This is our biggest fund raising event of the year and we are hoping the chance to win this brand new car will attract even more people.” Read More

The Comet, 15th July 2019

As Tesco's marks its centenary with its special Bags of Health Funding Grants, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) has been put forward as one of the nominees to receive £100,000 at the Tesco in Stevenage. Customers at the store will be given a blue token with each carrier bag purchased which they can use to vote for the charity or project which they think deserves the grant money.

"In 2019, we are celebrating a century of delivering great value for our customers," said Alec Brown, Tesco's Head of Community. "What better way to celebrate this occasion than by using our flagship community grant scheme, Bags of Help, to support even more groups and organisations who are helping to make a difference across Britain. We encourage our shoppers to register their votes while in store and help support projects delivering health and wellbeing benefits in their local area."

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The Mail, 15th July 2019

BAE Systems apprentices in Barrow are to receive Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) heart screenings on Wednesday this week after an offer from Barrow-based engineer David Hughes, whose son Daniel passed away suddenly in 2015 due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Since then, David and his family have been working with CRY to raise awareness of cardiac conditions in young people. More than 100 apprentices have already signed up for the screening event in Barrow this week.

“From my own personal experience, having lost my son at the age of 28 from an undiagnosed heart condition, I can’t stress enough the importance of attending if you have an appointment. It only takes 15 minutes to have the ECG and, if it picks an issue, up the CRY team is on hand to provide advice,” said David. “It’s great that BAE Systems has decided to screen a number of their new apprentices here in Barrow. I hope this is the start of a regular series of testing that could change and potentially save a life.”

“Raising awareness of this condition is vital and if just one person is given advice as a result of the screening it will have been time well spent,” said Ian Burns, Safety, Health and Environment Director at BAE Systems.

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Saddleworth Independent, 14th July 2019

Since its launch in 2015, the Tesco's Bags of Help scheme, run in partnership with environmental charity Groundwork, has provided over 25,000 community projects across the country with more than £75 million. This round offers special grants that will see shoppers vote for one of three groups or organisations to receive £25,000, £15,000 and £10,000. Customers will be able to cast their votes using a token given to them at check out whenever they shop in-store.

In the months of July and August, the focus will be on projects which support health and well-being, with priority placed on cancer, heart diseases and diabetes. Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is one of the nominees at Tesco's Greenfield, along with Maggie Oldham and Street Games UK.

"Bags of Help contributes funds to community projects up and down the country and we've been overwhelmed by the response from customers voting in their local stores," said Alec Brown, Head of Community at Tesco.

Groundwork's National Chief Executive stated: "Bags of help continues to enable local communities to improve the local spaces and places that matter to them."

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Edinburgh News, 9th July 2019

Ben Forsyth had a cardiac screening in 2013 which revealed an irregularity in his heart, leading to him being referred to the NHS. In May of 2015, after suffering with breathing problems, he had an MRI scan which led to the discovery that he had arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC); a progressive and incurable disease of the heart muscles. A keen cyclist, this discovery meant he had to stop and live a less athletic life. However, despite this, Ben passed away last year from a sudden cardiac event.

Now, his father, Keith Forsyth, and friend, Hamish Carrick, are to take on an extreme version of The Nation Three Peaks Challenge in his honour and to raise money for charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Normally, The Three Peaks Challenge has participants climb the highest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland - Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis - with a driver taking them between each mountain within 24 hours. However, Keith and Hamish's version of the challenge will see them cycling between each mountain as well, in a journey of 463 miles with 9000 metres of climbing in total to be completed in 48 hours.

They aim to raise money for CRY so that other young athletes might benefit from their potentially life saving heart screenings. "When I first came up with the idea I was looking for something which was a real proper good challenge," said Hamish. “ A friend had raised money for Ben and for CRY by cycling the West Highland Way and it raised a lot of money and it was really nice to see friends and families coming together and helping each other through the struggles we were all facing.

“I’ve cycled for as long as I can remember and I used to race with Ben, we first met when we were 14 in the Edinburgh Rode Club as teammates, so it was only natural to do a cycling focused challenge.”

Ben's dad, Keith stated : “When Ben passed away we had a collection for CRY at his funeral and that kicked things off with the fundraising. We opened a memorial fund and have been raising money to put on cardiac screenings locally. For every £5000 raised we can ask CRY to screen 100 young people. At the moment, we are running two dates for screenings on the 10th and 11th of August, but the 11th is fully booked and we are hoping to put on more.”

So far, the two cyclists have raised almost £1,800 and are hoping to raise as much as possible before they begin their epic journey on Friday. Read More

The Herts Advertiser, 8th July 2019

Ollie Higman-Hall cycled ten miles via the Alban Way to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of his father Darren Hall who passed away at 30 years old due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Ollie's mother, Kirsty, was only nine weeks pregnant with him at the time. Kirsty later remarried to Tim Higman and Ollie has a four year old younger brother, Theo. His stepfather and brother joined him for half of his charity ride while his mum was with him for the whole route.

"The cycle ride was fantastic, Ollie completed over 11 miles and Theo did six miles," Kirsty said. "We have raised over £2,182 so far. Everybody is so proud of him. Major surgeons from around the world have commented on Twitter how well he has done. Theo cycled six miles and he is only four."

Ollie's efforts have won him the Maltings Community Hero Award and £100 to spend in Maltings. "I feel excited to have won this," he said. "I am proud of myself. I am not yet sure what I am going to spend the money on." Read More

St Helens Star, 5th July 2019

The football match between Blackbrook Legends and Beeches FC Legends was hosted by Blackbrook FC in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and Willowbrook Hospice. Andrew Waddilove, Blackbrook FC Legends captain, organised the event with help from friends and family who contributed bouncy castles, barbecue, tuck shop, raffles and a disco. Almost 400 people attended the match in support of both teams - raising close to £3500 to be split between the two charities - and there is now talk of making it an annual event. Read More

Shropshire Star, 5th July 2019

The three close friends, Lucy Jones, Paula Reynolds and Jo Thelwell, are to face a tough climb in the Brecon Beacons to raise money for charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Their challenge is a meaningful one, especially for Jo.

"In 2013 my partner, Nathan Jenkins, passed away suddenly. He was only 41. He had shown no symptoms and was fit and healthy. His death was from SADS, Sudden Adult Death Syndrome," she said. "If the screening that CRY offer today had been available to Nathan as a youngster he may still be alive today. Because of this both our children are regularly tested for any changes within their heart. They were only 11 months and three years old at the time of losing their Daddy. This was devastating to all our family and friends, it is something we all have to carry through life, my children especially. " Read More

Kent Online, 4th July 2019

Primary school teacher and mum Fiona Tucker passed away in her sleep at just 29 years old due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Her family was left in a state of shock and grief.

“It hit us like a bomb exploding and has changed our lives forever,” her mother Janice said. “I kept saying to myself, ‘how could it happen’ because she was so active and healthy.”

Her family is now keen to raise awareness of the condition which took Fiona's life through supporting the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Last year, her family and friends completed the London Bridges Walk, raising £1200 for the charity to go towards their heart screenings for young people.

“When I tell people that up to 15 young people a week die like Fiona, they can’t believe it,” said Janice. “That’s why it is so important to get the message out, to let people know this can happen so suddenly while someone is sleeping when their heart rate and blood pressure drops. The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, who have been amazing to us, described it to me as like a light switch being turned off.” She added: “We take a crumb of comfort in that she did not suffer in any way, but we wouldn’t want anyone else to go through it.” Read More