Hello everyone! Our names are Jane & Emma and we are taking part in the 2024 London Marathon in support of ‘Cardiac Risk in the Young’. 

At the young age of 30, our sister, Lynn Ruthven, passed away in her sleep as a result of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (commonly referred to as ‘SADS’), just one week before her son’s 5th birthday. 

The loss of a loved one due to SADS often is very disruptive and confusing to the lives of family and friends, as deaths are extremely abrupt and many questions are left unanswered. Unlike a range of other heart conditions, those affected by SADS commonly present no prior symptoms, the structure of the heart appears normal and death cannot be declared as a result of any other reasonable  cause.

Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions. With your donation, CRY can reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD) by working with cardiologists and family doctors to establish good practice and appropriate screening facilities to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young. By supporting CRY you will help save young lives from these potentially fatal cardiac conditions. See how your support can help by visiting www.c-r-y.org.uk .

Participating in a marathon may be considered one of the most difficult physical challenges within modern day society, and by no means are we endurance athletes – to say this will be one of the most challenging commitments either of us have made to date would be an understatement! Thus, we ask for your support in our contributions towards a cause that we hold so close to our hearts. On behalf of the entire family, we (Emma and Jane) would like to extend our greatest appreciation for any and all donations. Next stop, London!