Young At Heart Fundraiser for Cardiac Risk in the Young

Redcliffe Hotel Paignton, Sunday 19^th May 2019

What a great day we had – in a lovely ballroom with sweeping views of Tor Bay, many helpers had been busy with displays of CRY literature, balloons, banners.

A photo of our late son Graham gazed at us on the table at the entrance – his undetected heart condition 20 years ago inspired us to hold this event, to follow those held by other South Devon fundraisers for Cardiac Risk in the Young.

A marvellous collection of raffle prizes were arranged, PA systems and a variety of musical equipment and lights were rigged, and our performers for the afternoon started to arrive to set up.

Then, with our first members of our audience settling in their seats with their tasty lunches and Devon cream teas (jam on top !)…… “Young At Heart” by the Bluebells came ringing out from the speakers, and Brixham’s Martyn Paddon, compere and singer, launched the show.

Harrison, drama student at South Devon College, followed with his powerful resonant tenor voice treating us to swing era and show musicals, then we had Vic Baulton with his side-splitting comedy.

Ukuleles big and small were then featured played en masse by the Rivera Ukulele Band featuring a variety of toe-tapping songs; as their last notes sounded, we could all hear the feverish sound of Brazilian rhythms getting nearer – and louder – and nearer – and louder…..the Crooked Tempo Samba Band appeared through the ballroom doors in a splash of bright colours and broad grins!

Now it was time for Pendulum to feature their mixture of hits from several decades of Pop, Country, Ballads and Instrumental numbers with Janet, Tony, Dave, Rick and Richard triggering the need to get up and dance.

Twinflame, a new exciting duo with a passion for entertaining came on with their set of energetic, feel good songs and a compelling active presentation.

Before a final set from Pendulum 5, it was time for all our lovely audience to find out how their luck would be, in our raffle draw of over £400 value of prizes so generously donated by –

DARTMOUTH STEAM RAILWAY AND RIVERBOAT Co., TORBAY LEISURE CENTRE, BABBACOMBE THEATRE, HOOPERS of TORQUAY, PALACE THEATRE PAIGNTON, B & Q TORQUAY, AMF BOWL, PAIGNTON ZOO, MORRISONS PAIGNTON, OTTER GARDEN CENTRE, WAITROSE TORQUAY, SOUND & VISION PAIGNTON, PAIGNTON MODEL SHOP, ANGIE LEANNE AND KIM, LYNDA LOUISE AND SARAH, BOOTS, RICK & JOYCE, DAVE ALMOND, BAYS BREWERY, TOTNES CANDLE STUDIO, 100 CAFÉ TORQUAY and PREMIER MEATS PAIGNTON.

Thank you so much, all of you – on the day we raised a terrific £486.60, made up to £500 by R.A.& P.A., and….there is a “DONATE” feature on facebook which has so far added £50 to the total !!

This wonderful amount has been sent to CRY to help them continue in research, screening and support for those families affected by sudden cardiac death. Every week 12 young people (under the age of 35) die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition – 80% of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms, which is why CRY believes proactive screening is so important. The charity’s pioneering screening programme has developed rapidly and is now testing over 30,000 young people every year.