Once supporters had arrived, we got started with speeches from CRY Cardiologist Professor Sanjay Sharma and CRY CEO Dr Steven Cox. Professor Sharma began by introducing the day, and thanking those who joined us;

“Today we are going to be celebrating and cherishing the lives of late loved ones who passed away during the pinnacle of their life years and prematurely. I think our message wall here is just a reminder of the sort of people that we have lost; spouses, partners, children, siblings, friends; and these losses have transformed your lives.”

“Some of you are getting back on track, and some of your lives have taken a different trajectory; but instead of being immersed in a sense of infinite grief and despair, many of you have dug in to the core of your strength to do something very altruistic and very important, and that is to support our charity Cardiac Risk in the Young. Many of you have raised money to demonstrate awareness of this catastrophe, and to do something about preventing such deaths. […] Today we join hands and take some very positive strides in making a difference to ensure that other families do not have to endure the same fate as yours.”

Next to speak was CRY CEO Dr Steven Cox who began by thanking everyone who helped make the day possible, from participants to staff, volunteers and food vendors; before taking a moment of remembrance and thanks to CRY Patron Kathryn Harries for her legacy of work with CRY, “The CRY Heart of London Bridges Walk has been our flagship event since 2007, having been established by CRY Patron Kathryn Harries, working with the CRY Team. I’d like to take a moment to remember Kathryn and acknowledge everything she did for CRY. She has left an incredible legacy in the creation of this important event and will be missed by all who knew her.”

“For those of you joining us for the first time we hope you can experience what how it feels to be part of a community that understands. Thank you for coming today to support this event, and to be a part of a community of support for one another.”

Dr Cox continued, thanking Professor Sanjay Sharma, Professor Michael Papadakis and Dr Mary Sheppard for their continuing support and commitment to CRY through their work and research. It was special to have the whole team at Southwark Park this year, each taking part with their families. Dr Cox concluded by highlighting the importance of the event, CRY’s research, and what that means for our understanding of the cause of young sudden death.

“When CRY was founded, people questioned if something should be done. There is no longer a question of if, but what and when. This progress has only happened because of all the families like yourselves who have given so much to help others; by talking about what has happened, by raising funds, and by supporting screening and research. Thank you for your support and joining us today at our most important event to bring families together from all over the country.”