The Prime Minister has today, 2 October, recognised Sue and David Hughes, from Stoke on Trent, for fundraising over £230,000 for ‘Cardiac Risk in the Young’ arranging over 1,700 vital heart screenings for young adults in memory of their son Daniel, who died aged 28 from an undetected heart condition.
With their daughter Kim, Sue and David initially set out to provide a minimum of 200 local young people in the West Midlands with access to annual heart screenings. After their fundraising exceeded expectations, they have continued their campaign, as well as opening a memorial garden to Daniel at Audley Football Club where he used to play.
Sue and David are the latest recipient of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.
In a personal letter to Sue and David, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how you have raised over £230,000 for ‘Cardiac Risk in the Young’ and arranged over 1,700 vital heart screenings in memory of your son Daniel.”
Sue and David said: “We are very pleased, honoured and surprised to be receiving a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister for the work we have been doing for ‘Cardiac Risk in the Young’ since the death of our son Daniel. Hopefully it will encourage people to take a look at the important work that CRY does in reducing Young Sudden Cardiac Death. Thank you to the Prime Minister and everyone concerned for this award.”
Sue and David are the 1252nd and 1253rd winners of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards.
Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.
Dr Steven Cox, Chief Executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young, added; “It’s inspiring to look back at everything David and Sue have achieved so far in memory of their son, Daniel. They have raised a huge amount of awareness of young sudden cardiac death and their fundraising efforts have enabled many young people to be treated, having been identified with potentially life-threatening conditions.
“I’d also like to extend our thanks and admiration to all of their friends, relatives and entire local community, for all they continue to do in their determination to stop other families from experiencing the same devastating grief as David and Sue have endured.
“We are so proud of all the families associated with CRY and this is now the fourth time that a family affected by a young sudden cardiac death has been awarded a prestigious ‘Points of Light’ award. We are all very pleased to see David and Sue deservedly recognised in this way, for their incredible commitment to CRY and saving young lives.”
