CRY announces new Patron to help “tackle” the need for greater awareness
One of England’s upcoming rugby talents, Jack Clifford has been named as a new Patron of Cardiac Risk in the Young – just as he is named as part of the England squad for the 2016 summer tour!
Harlequins Flanker and former Cobham RFC player, 23-year-old Jack has stepped up to the role of Patron of CRY in memory of his friend and team mate, Matthew Cragg who died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition in October 2014. Matt, had completed a degree at Leeds University shortly before his sudden and tragic death and had been part of Cobham’s “Surrey U21” cup winning team the previous year.
Jack (who was part of the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam winning squad) says; “I’m very honoured to be a patron for the charity CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young. The work they do is amazing, and so crucial, especially in young athletes. The main reason I have wanted to get involved is after a good friend and team mate from Cobham RFC, Matt Cragg passed away from a heart condition aged only 21, with no warning.
“As a patron, I would like to help raise awareness of the work CRY does, especially in schools and sports clubs, in screening young people involved in sport. I would like to do anything I can to lessen the chances of young, fit sportspeople, like my friend, dying from an unknown heart condition.”
CRY’s Chief Executive, Dr Steve Cox, adds; “We are privileged to announce Jack as our latest Patron from the world of sport – particularly as he has such a strong and personal reason to want to become involved in the work we do.
“His growing success and public profile will really help to reach out to a wide audience – and I know he has a very real commitment to helping to champion our cause. These are exciting times for Jack as he prepares for more England games since his debut earlier this year – and also exciting times for CRY having also just announced the milestone of screening our 100,000th young person! I know I speak for everyone at CRY when I say that we are really looking forward to working with Jack.”
