Didsbury-based Barratt Homes Manchester has announced its charity of the year is Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which helps young people access important health checks to reduce the chance of cardiac arrest.
BM – A sign pointing towards one of CRY’s screening clinics
The housebuilder has committed to fundraising for the national charity for the duration of the year, with the final sum set to help its services advocating for greater accessibility for cardiac screening.
Barratt Homes’ fundraising will have a significant impact on CRY’s work. The funds raised will help to provide free heart screenings to young people, support bereaved families, and continue research into cardiac conditions.
On a broader level, the partnership means increased visibility for CRY, allowing it to reach more communities and raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death.
CRY notes that every week in the UK, around 12 ‘apparently fit’ young people (aged 35 and under) die suddenly from a hidden heart condition. 80% of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms, which is why CRY’s work is so vital.
The charity’s pioneering, UK-wide screening now tests around 30,000 young people every year (aged 14 to 35), using a simple, non-invasive ECG test which is overseen by world-leading sports cardiologist, Professor Sanjay Sharma and his team at St George’s, University of London. To date, CRY has screened the hearts of over 315,000 young people.
Dr Steven Cox, CEO at Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), said: “I would like to thank Barratt Homes for pledging to support CRY over the next year. Our services receive no government support and therefore it’s only due to the fundraising efforts of families, communities and businesses, that we’re able to deliver screening to young people across the UK at no cost to any individual who wishes to have their heart tested.
“Research saves lives too, so every penny counts towards maintaining our internationally acclaimed research programme and the ongoing training of cardiologists, who will become experts in the detection and treatment of the conditions that can cause a sudden cardiac arrest in a young person.
“Fundraising and corporate donations also mean we can provide CRY’s specialist, ‘peer-to-peer’ bereavement network – an invaluable lifeline for many families and friends facing such unimaginable and devastating grief.
“We’re excited to work with Barratt Homes and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of this partnership. Together, we can save young lives and the support is hugely appreciated.”
One in every 300 of the young people that CRY tests will be identified with a potentially life-threatening condition. Through greater awareness, the charity hopes people become more conscious of their own family’s heart history and any relevant symptoms, whilst being empowered to request prompt assessment for immediate family members should the very worst happen and a young person dies suddenly and seemingly without explanation.
By identifying previously undiagnosed heart conditions through proactive cardiac screening, tragedies can be prevented, giving young people the chance to go on to live full, active lives.
Rhys Nicholson, Managing Director at Barratt Homes Manchester, said: “We are proud to support Cardiac Risk in the Young and to commit to a year of fundraising for this fantastic charity.
“CRY’s mission is such an important one, both in terms of identifying health risks through its cardiac screening and invaluable bereavement network.”
For more information on the charity, visit the website at Cardiac Risk in the Young.
