Courageous and dedicated parents Irene Wickers and Granville Staff from Darwen both have one thing in common……they lost their sons to sudden cardiac death at a young age.
Both families say they channelled their grief into helping others by forming the Neil Wickers and David Staff Memorial Fund more than eleven years ago.
They are both Divisional Representatives for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and this weekend they are holding their annual Mobile Heart Screening event in Darwen.
Granville, who works as a Bereavement Support Officer for CRY, said: “We know we can’t bring David or Neil back but by fundraising and holding our annual cardiac screening we hope we can stop other families going through what we’ve been through. ” I now provide emotional support to families from across the whole of the UK.
“It’s nice that I can provide a listening ear to people in similar circumstances and they know I understand what they’re going through.”
Granville’s son David, was seventeen when he collapsed and died during the first senior run for the Darwen Dashers in 1994.
Irene Wickers, of Cyprus Street, also lost her son Neil, 31, when he collapsed and died at a Blackburn gym in 1996.
Irene spends her free time fundraising and raising awareness of the fund within the local area.
She says the cardiac screening is so important for young athletes as it can help save so many lives.
“Our annual cardiac screening is something which we all work towards every year.
“It costs around £7,000 and without our fundraising events and kind donations from local people we wouldn’t be able to hold this great day.
“I’d particularly like to thank the Freemason’s in Darwen who donated almost £3,000 – without that donation we might not have been able to hold the screening this year.
“I have a large group of volunteers who work alongside me and do a great job organising charity concerts, tombolas and various other fundraising events throughout the year.
“We’re all looking forward to the screening on Saturday as it’s always such a joyous day – but it’s also very emotional for us all.”
What is CRY?
Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is a nationwide charity that is committed to raising awareness of cardiac risk, Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in young people.
It was established in 1995 by Alison Cox and is committed to fundraising for heart screening and ECG testing across the country.
They also work within local communities to highlight cardiac abnormalities and support families who have suffered a tragedy from a sudden cardiac death.
What is the screening?
CRY are providing the Mobile Heart Screening Event for sporty young people, aged between 14 and 35.
The screening will take place at the Darwen Access Point on Duckworth Street this Saturday.
Patients will have a full cardiac evaluation including an Electrocardiogram, Echocardiogram and a consultation with a cardiac specialist.
Irene and Granville have been holding these screening events for the past ten years and have screened almost four hundred young people for heart defects from across the local area.
Would you like to be screened?
They have a few places still available on the day and anyone who would like an appointment to be screened can call Irene Wickers on 01254 707 895.
