Lancashire Evening Telegraph – 24 November 2003
By Andrew Turner
One person above all would have been proud to see Irene Wickers walk away with the Pride of East Lancashire Outstanding Volunteer award, her son, Neil, who died suddenly of a rare heart condition aged just 31.
He was a regular gym user who appeared to be in perfect health but in 1996 it was discovered that he had a rare cardiac condition.
His death inspired her, with the help of family and friends, to set up a North West branch of CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).
It has worked tirelessly since to raise awareness of heart defects in the young encouraging early detection to save lives. Irene said: “I’m just so overwhelmed to have won. I know for sure that Neil would have been very proud of what we have achieved. He was the sort of person who would have gone out of his way to help others”.
CRY works to raise awareness of cardiac risk in the young and raises money to stage heart screening sessions, conducted by specialists, for 14 to 34 year-olds.
Irene said: “Our philosophy is that if we can save one other family from the anguish we went through, then it’s all worthwhile.”
Irene, of Darwen, who is married to Bill and has three surviving children, works tirelessly to organise fundraising events and secure donations from local businesses.
Through her role she has helped the committee of six to raise £30,000 in the hope of saving other young lives.
The money has paid for two free screening sessions in Darwen which would normally cost £250 each to members of the public.
At the last screening, of the 30 people who attended, six had potential heart problems and underwent further investigation and treatment as a direct result of the screening.
Irene said: “We have a small committee of people who help[ run things and this award wouldn’t have been possible without them.
“When Neil died we just didn’t know what to da at first but with their help things have really taken off.”
She also paid tribute to the Staff family also from Darwen, who lost their son in 1994, and have also been instrumental in the branch’s success.
She paid tribute to her daughter Angela Wilson and friends Jaqueline Squelch, Kathleen Taylor’ Patricia Rutter, Marie Yates and sister Doreen Wickers.
