New head for cardiac group

The Ulster team of doctors involved in the task force to plot the best way forward for referrals for young people with heart problems will be chaired by consultant Mahen Varma.

Dr Varma, a consultant cardiologist, is based at the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen.

The new Chest, Heart and Stroke Association task force will include specialists from the Erne and Belfast's Royal Victoria and City Hospitals.

Sudden cardiac death syndrome, or Wolfe Parkinson Syndrome, has claimed the lives of many young people including promising Ulster sportsmen.

Victims include Coleraine golfer Aaron Lundy; rugby player John McCall from the Royal School Armagh; Tyrone's Gaelic football star Cormac McAnallen, and Richard Martin, a pupil from Portora Royal School in Enniskillen.

Last night, in Enniskillen, Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council handed over a cheque for £1,500 to the family of schoolboy Richard Martin and John Lundy from CRY, the charity set up to promote awareness about cardiac risk in the young.

The money was raised through a concert run by Fermanagh Shadow Youth Council, which featured information about CRY and profiled victims of the condition.

Co-ordinator Diane Noble said: "It was especially poignant that we had a connection to a local family and because we are a youth organisation specifically working with young people, and trying to highlight the risks to young people.

"It is great that the money will be used for young people in Northern Ireland."