Loyal fans from across the world are today (Monday 8th October 2012) downloading a new single from Tony Gately.
Tony’s first ever song was written in memory of his brother, Stephen, with proceeds helping to raise funds for the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Dad of three Tony (aged 30) was left devastated when his older brother, Boyzone star Stephen Gately, died suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition almost three years ago (October 10th 2009).
Tony says; “As is so often the case when a young person dies suddenly, our family was left with so many unanswered questions. Why did Stephen die, how did he die? None of us could believe that the heart of someone so seemingly fit and healthy could just stop beating.”
However, since Tony’s work with the charity CRY, he and his family have learnt that in fact every week in the UK at least 12 young people (aged 35 and under) die suddenly from undiagnosed heart conditions – a figure that is still widely believed to be a conservative estimate.
Awareness of the risk of sudden cardiac death among young, apparently fit people has also significantly increased since the collapse of footballer Fabrice Muamba, earlier this year.
Since Stephen’s tragic death, all his family members were advised to be screened urgently. CRY (whose expert team tests over 9,000 young people every year) believes that screening is the most effective way of identifying those at risk of an underlying heart condition.
Preview of the video to accompany the single:
Tony is now determined to continue raising awareness of the importance of cardiac screening.
Alison Cox MBE, Chief Executive and Founder of CRY, said; “We are so grateful to Tony for all of his ongoing support and fundraising achievements.
“He has set up the Stephen Gately Memorial Fund, taken part in the Great Scottish Run, signed up for a parachute jump – as well as helping us to raise so much awareness about the importance of CRY’s cardiac screening programme.”
Alison adds; “It takes enormous courage for a family who has been affected by young sudden cardiac death to be able to see beyond their own tragedy and want to raise funds for CRY.
“I find it very humbling that despite Tony’s own terrible grief, he has still managed to find the strength to support us and help prevent other families suffering from the same catastrophic grief as he has endured.”
“He’s Still Around” (co-written by Tony Gately and produced by Offbeat Music) was be released on iTunes on Monday 8th October, just two days before the third anniversary of Stephen’s death. CRY will receive 10% of the profits from sales of the single.
Available to download now from Amazon http://t.co/7g4d9CYe
