“A charity that’s just CRYing out for help”

Last year, Preston 14’s President, Brother Paul Garstang elected as his charity the CRY campaign. This is a charity very close to our hearts in Preston 14 as one of our dear friends in the community tragically lost his teenage son, Jordan, to an undetected heart defect, 

Paul really embraced the charity, which was founded in 1985, whose mission is to prevent young sudden cardiac death through awareness, screening and research and to support  families after a tragedy.

Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die suddenly from undiagnosed heart conditions. CRY works to reduce this number and offer support for those who are affected by young sudden cardiac death. http://youtu.be/6lJTklSe2cA.

Through numerous fund-raising activities, Preston 14 has raised over £2200 to support CRY. Each cardiac screening costs just £30 and is designed for all 14 to 35 year olds.

The Jordan Grant Memorial Fund (our particular CRY charity) spends in the region of £6000 to provide 200 free screenings for local 14 to 35 year olds.

The last three years screenings have resulted in 19 abnormalities out of 600. In other words the free screenings have provided early warnings for 19 young people and their families so that positive action may be taken to deal with their own particular conditions and hopefully prevent future heartache for their families and friends.

I am both pleased and proud to say that our current President, Brother Peter Western has nominated CRY as his charity of choice for 2015/16 where, once again, Preston 14 will be concocting all manner of activities to support the fundraising. Watch his space !

The picture shows Brother Paul Garstang with John Grant (father of the late Jordan Grant) after presenting a cheque for £2200. That is 73 vital screenings!)

(Steve Edge)