Singer makes surprise visit to schools tragically affected by young sudden cardiac death, on behalf of CRY.

Assemblies will never seem the same again for the pupils of two schools who today (Tuesday 11th March 2014) were serenaded by one of the biggest stars of Britain’s pop scene – singer /songwriter, Pixie Lott!

The “Boys and Girls” star first surprised around 600 pupils aged 11 – 18 from the Ravens Wood School in Bromley, as she emerged from the wings and took to the stage in the main hall!

Pixie sang a selection of songs including her brand new single “Nasty” and some more from her self-titled new album, before answering questions from the excited audience.

23-year-old Pixie, who originally hails from the Bromley / Chislehurst area, became a Patron of CRY almost 4 years ago and has been a loyal and proactive supporter of the charity and its work to reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death in young people.

Pixie made history when she became the first singer to perform live inside the House of Commons when she took to the mike during CRY’s annual Parliamentary Reception in 2010.

The following year, she delivered a mesmerising performance of “Silent Night” at CRY’s Carol Concert.

Pixie said, “I became a patron of CRY as it affects so many young people and it’s crazy that a seemingly fit and young person can just drop down dead. I feel it’s so important to raise awareness and will continue to use my role as Patron to help spread the word about the charity’s vital work.”

Ravens Wood School has a very poignant connection to CRY following the deaths of three young, male pupils in its recent history. They include Matt Beadle – a former pupil who also knew Pixie Lott during his time at the Italia Conti School in Chislehurst – who died suddenly in 2012 aged just 32; and 15-year-old Ben Daniels, who collapsed without warning whilst playing football with his Ex Blues FC teammates in March 2011.

Ben’s dad, Paul (above) – from Bickley, near Chislehurst – has raised over £80,000 through the Ben Daniels Memorial Fund to support CRY’s pioneering cardiac screening programme, which now tests around 14,000 young people every year. As a result of Paul’s efforts, around 1,000 young people have been screened in the local area over the past 3 years – both at Ravens Wood School and the Old Elthamians Sports Club – in memory of Ben.
He adds, “It’s Pixie’s passion and enthusiasm for CRY that continues to bring people together in our common cause of saving young people’s lives and remembering those, like Ben, that have died.”

As well as being an inspiring ambassador for young people, Pixie also has a personal connection to the charity and the issue of young sudden cardiac death.

In 2004, Adam Donnelly – who was a friend of Pixie’s older sister, Charlie – tragically died from a previously undiagnosed condition known as Brugada syndrome. He was aged just 17.

Since Adam’s death, his parents Jed and Julie, from Sidcup, Kent, have become committed supporters of the charity, working tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for CRY.

Directly after her performance at Ravens Wood School, Pixie (pictured left with Adam Donnelly’s mum, Julie, and sister, Sian) travelled just down the road to St. Thomas More Secondary School in Eltham, where Adam was a pupil.

There she sang again and took questions from pupils about both her music career and her involvement with CRY.

Chief Executive and Founder of CRY, Alison Cox MBE, says, “Everyone was absolutely delighted that Pixie was able to visit these two schools, which both have such a special link to CRY.

“She is a wonderful ambassador for our charity and has a unique way of communicating with this young – seemingly invincible – age group, who can sometimes be ‘hard to reach’ with messages about health and the importance of having their hearts checked out.“

Mr Rhys Spiers, Vice Principal of Ravens Wood School, says, “Many of Ben’s friends and classmates are still pupils at Ravens Wood and he continues to be missed by them all. To have lost three pupils over the years from similar, undiagnosed heart conditions is absolutely tragic and it has left a real legacy with us as a school.

“Since Ben’s tragic death we have raised a significant amount of money and undertaken numerous initiatives in order to raise awareness. We are committed to screening students for their cardiac health every year and feel that we are a leading example to other schools. It was a great honour – and great fun! – to welcome Pixie to our school and we all feel she does an amazing job in helping raise awareness about CRY’s work.”

ITV London coverage of this story