Musical kids hit right note

A music marathon performed by students and teachers has raised hundreds of pounds for a cardiac charity.

Pupils at Lyndhurst School played piano, flute, guitars and sang in the two-hour session to support Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Every week eight young people unexpectedly die in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions.

CRY provides medical information on the most common causes of unexplained sudden cardiac arrest in people aged under 35.

It offers support to those who have suffered a loss, promotes heart screening and ECG testing, donates medical equipment to doctor's surgeries and hospitals and funds the CRY Centre for Sports Cardiology at the British Olympic Medical Centre.

Headmaster Stephen Yeo said the school, in The Avenue, Camberley, had raised £332 in sponsorship, with more to come, and added: "It's been a fantastic success and we've managed to raise a lot of money.

"We planned to do this three months ago, but our music teacher fell ill so we had to postpone it until now.

"In the marathon we got about 35 pupils together to play for a few minutes each to keep it going.

"The student s included those who have just started to learn an instrument and are taking lessons, as well as those who are more skilled and are preparing to take their grade exams.

"It was a great opportunity for them to play in public and this really encouraged them to support this.

"It was also a good experience for them to be able to play in a supportive environment.

"The children who participated ranged from three to 11 years old. One little girl who is in nursery came along and sang a nursery rhyme."

Mr Yeo, who played the piano duet All American Home Town Band with his wife, said the children had played a wide variety of their favourite music, ranging from pop to classical.

"The children enjoyed it and their friends and family have been very supportive," he added.

"It's been so successful that we plan to do it again next year."