A couple hope heart tests for seemingly fit young people could spare families the heartbreak they endured when their son died suddenly.
Fiona and Paul Roberts have raised thousands of pounds so more than 100 people aged 14 to 35 can have an EGG test at Cambridge United’s Harris Suite on Sunday, July 27.
The couple’s son Alex died in September 2005, a month before his 21st birthday.
Since then they have been fundraising for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a charity that raises awareness and supports medical research into sudden death syndrome.
Mrs Roberts said: “Our son was incredibly fit. He was in the Navy, he was training for a commando course.
“He went to bed on September 28 and some time during the night his heart stopped beating. He presented no symptoms before he died.
“We discovered CRY, a wonderful charity fighting for the introduction of screening to detect problems that can lead to the death of as many as 15 fit and healthy young people reach week.
“We set our sights on raising funds for a CRY screening session day in Cambridge and thanks to our amazing family and friends and the generosity of people, we have achieved this.”
The couple, who run The Brook pub in Brookfields, Cambridge, held a bungee day and several other events to raise the money for the screening day.
Members of the Cambridge United youth team will be screened and anyone else who wants to have the ECG test can make an appointment at http://www.mybookingcalendar.com/cry
The screening, which runs from 9am-5pm, is funded by the Alex Roberts Memorial Fund and is free of charge.
Mr Roberts aid: “The screening is for people who would not normally be tested.
“If we have to arrange 1,000 tests and it saves just one family from going through what we struggle to live with every day, it will be worth it.”
A group of walkers from the pub will take part in the CRY Heart of London Bridges Walk on Sunday, July 20.
It will cross eight bridges to symbolise the eight young people who die of an undiagnosed heart condition each week.
To sponsor them, call the pub on (01223) 566 929. For more information on CRY, whose patrons include Sir Ian Botham and Sir Steve Redgrave, visit http://www.c-r-y.org.uk
