On 5 and 6 July 2009 a 'Fathers and Sons' team will attempt to complete the 3 Peaks Challenge in order to raise money for a wonderful charity - CRY. The challenge means climbing to the summits of the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden - over 10,000 feet ascent and descent plus 500 miles of driving – all within 24 hours.
The team comprises 4 dads and 5 sons (aged 17 to 18): Tony & George Bath; Dave, Paddy & Harry Cox; Mark & Tom Davies; Julian & Tom Rowe-Jones - together with our two drivers, John Berry and Andy Barton.
We are fundraising for a wonderful charity – CRY, Cardiac Risk in the Young. Every week 12 apparently fit and healthy young people in the die suddenly from undiagnosed heart conditions.
We got to know about CRY in tragic circumstances. In 1993 an old friend, Howard English, collapsed and died suddenly whilst training with Esher rugby club. His death was diagnosed as floppy mitral valve disease - a non-hereditary heart condition. Howard’s widow, Steph was left with 3 young children. Happily Steph married another great friend, Rupert Hunter, and the family was complete when they had two more children.
Ten years later history was to repeat itself in the most unbelievable and cruel way. Steph’s eldest son, Sebastian, then aged 15 and a passionate rugby player, was playing for Haslemere when he too collapsed and died instantly of a heart condition, ARVC. The effect on Steph and Rupert and the whole family was devastating.
The incidences of sudden heart related death in young fit people are much more frequent than any of us would imagine.
CRY was founded in 1995 and does amazing work in raising awareness of heart conditions in the young. It’s main activities include heart screening and ECG testing programmes, medical research and bereavement support. The charity is well managed and patrons include Ian Botham, Steve Redgrave, Clive Woodward and David Walliams.
We would really appreciate your support for our 3 Peaks challenge and any donations to CRY would be most welcome.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
