The former Mayor of Eastbourne Councillor Graham Marsden has handed over a cheque for almost £9000 to his chosen charity Cardiac Risk in the Young. This follows a very successful year of fundraising which included a well attended Dinner & Dance, a Fitness for Youth event at the Arndale, plus other events such as a Christmas Fayre and a Drinks Reception. Donations were also received from other organisations such as Rotarians and local businesses.
Councillor Graham Marsden says, “I would like to thank everybody who supported my charity, either through financial support or by helping to put on the events. The money will be put to good use through investing in further research as well as the provision of medical equipment which will be used locally. The funds will help to reduce the dreadful statistic that four to eight young people die each week from undiagnosed heart conditions.”
Following the generous financial support given by both businesses and local residents it is intended to place additional medical equipment in the A & E Department of the District General Hospital and Langney Shopping Centre. The Hospital will receive an E.C.G. machine to enable further diagnosis of unknown heart conditions, whilst a defibrillator will be made available for the shopping centre at Langney. A special presentation will take place next month once the equipment has been purchased.
C.R.Y. (Cardiac Risk in the Young) was chosen by Councillor Marsden as his Mayoral charity, because of its importance in raising awareness of conditions that could lead to sudden death in young people and in providing support for grieving families affected by the death of a young person. It was also chosen because a young Cavendish School student, Jeremy Cole, taught by the Mayor, died suddenly in 1995 with no prior warning that anything was wrong.
CRY is a National Charity and it's principal aims are to:
To raise awareness of the symptoms of cardiac conditions in the general public and also the medical profession.
To emphasize the considerable amount that can be done to help people who have been diagnosed as having a cardiac condition.
To support medical research into Sudden Death Syndrome.
To offer counsel and support to families affected.
To promote ECG Testing and Mobile Cardiac Screening events to the public.
CRY recommends that screening is requested via your GP if there have been any young sudden deaths in the family, or if the young person is suffering from any unexplained symptoms of:
- Chest Pain (Exercise related)
- Breathlessness
- Palpitations
- Dizziness
- Fainting
If you wish to help the charity, it can be contacted at:
C.R.Y., Unit 7, Epsom Downs Metro Centre, Waterfield, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 5LR
