26th July 2009
The 3rd CRY Heart of London Bridges fundraising and awareness walk was once again led by Kathryn Harries, International Soprano and CRY Patron. CRY Patron Ben Brown also joined the walk with ‘Team Tom’.
Over 600 men, women, children (and dogs!) from around the country took part in the walk which started at Victoria Embankment Gardens and ended at Hays Galleria, near London Bridge.
The route involved crossing Golden Jubilee, Westminster, Waterloo, Blackfriars, Millennium, London and Tower Bridges and included at least 12 famous London Landmarks each representing one of the 12 young sudden cardiac deaths that occur each week in the UK.
The day started with participants checking in and picking up a map, song sheet and fact sheet on some of the landmarks, kindly produced by CRY supporter, Paul Clabburn.
After picking up their CRY balloons and meeting up with friends and family for a chat and photographs, participants moved to the bandstand area for a welcome and introduction to CRY and its latest initiatives by Founder and Chief Executive, Alison Cox MBE. This was followed by a sing-a-long of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” led by Kathryn Harries. Kathryn’s pet spaniel, Dorrie, also joined in and could be heard above the voices of the crowd!
Phil Packer, our guest speaker, officially opened the walk and gave an inspirational good luck speech. Finally, before everyone set off, there was a motivational group warm up led by Kirk Douglas, personal trainer and nutritionist; Sylvia, his assistant; and a few CRY supporters who joined them on the stage.
Once again, it was an emotional day, as most of the people were taking part in memory of a young relative or friend.
There were also a number of people taking part because they felt CRY was a good cause and that the route was interesting – including a group of graduates from Marks and Spencer, who put together a team with their colleagues from around the country.
Others took part in support of a young person who had been diagnosed with a heart condition; and some were taking part because they have a heart condition.
As in previous years, some families chose to have photographs printed on their T-shirts, as well as using the personalised back signs provided by CRY.
The walk ended some 2 – 3 hours later – depending on the number of stops en route – at Hays Galleria, with a welcome glass of fruit punch, a certificate and a goody bag.
CRY would like to say “well done” and “thank you” again to all the participants.
Thank you to all the participants who agreed to help with media coverage and to those that have sent in their event feedback either by e-mail or via the feedback forms. If you haven’t returned your feedback form yet or sent us your thoughts / comments, then we would still love to hear from you!
CRY would also like to thank: Kathryn Harries, CRY patron, for leading the walk; Phil Packer for officially starting the walk; Ben Brown, CRY Patron, who took part in the walk for the 2nd time; David Walliams and James Cracknell, CRY patrons, for signing press releases / letters to editors; Professor Greg Whyte for his training tips; St John Ambulance for providing valuable first aid cover; and the following Hays Galleria shops and businesses for helping to raise awareness and hold collection boxes on the day – The Horniman Pub; Starbucks; Bagel Factory; Riverside Bookshop and Next.
CRY thanks the following companies and organisations: Foresters, for sponsoring the event and providing volunteers on the day; Westminster City Council (especially the events team and the Victoria Embankment Gardens Parks Office team); St Martins Property Consultants and CB Richard Ellis Management Services for donating the venues (Victoria Embankment Gardens and Hays Galleria); Chubb Insurance, for making a donation to cover all the drinks on the day as well as refreshments for staff and volunteers; Sainsbury’s for donating crisps, savoury snacks and chocolates for all the participants.
Last but not least, a huge thank you to all the CRY staff who helped with admin and support for the event; and the following volunteers who helped by making up packs, securing donations, pre-walk preparations, marshalling, delivering and distributing drinks, providing the warm up, making the punch, registration, making up and handing out goody bags and certificates….and so much more!
Martin Appleby; Nick Bond; Caroline Byrne; Paul Clabburn; John and Pat Dennington; Kirk Douglas and Sylvia; Fran Griffin; Paul Hayward; Mark and Marcia Hearne; Jim and Barbara Holland; Penny Jerrum; Krystyna Juszczyk; Koula Louki; Charlotte MacKenzie; Patsy Mourtzinos; Laura Murzell; Josephine Pickard; Dulcie Reddick; Ben Robinson; Natalia Rodrigues; William Snell; Alison Stokes; Paul Vickery; Sue Walton.
Also, Foresters’ volunteers: Adrian Buckland, Audley Clarke, Vernon Elmes, Eddie And Christine Horne, David and Rita Howell, Maureen MacGregor, Ann Osbourne, Diana and Harold Parrett, Ian Sharman.
We are hoping to repeat this event again in 2010 but slightly earlier in July, either on the 11th or the 18th of July. The date will be posted on the CRY website as soon as possible.
Rebecca Zouvani – CRY Fundraising Manager
Corporate support
The 2009 CRY Heart of London Bridges Sponsored Walk was supported by Foresters, Chubb Insurance Company of Europe, Westminster City Council and St. Martins Property Management Company.
Commenting on the 2008 CRY Bridges Walk, CRY Patron Kathryn Harries says:
“On Sunday 20th July 2008 I had the privilege of leading more than 600 walkers on the second CRY Heart of London Bridges Walk. After music and warm-up exercises on a bright, sunny morning at Victoria Embankment we set off on our journey across eight London bridges. Each bridge represented a young life lost each week in the UK from an undiagnosed heart condition. These are priceless lives, full of promise, lost to the world and all those who loved them.”
“I was filled with admiration for the courage shown by all those walking in memory of someone they had loved and lost. Like many others I found the experience emotionally shattering and uplifting in equal measure. Fun, laughter and CRY balloons bobbing in the breeze will be among my abiding memories of that wonderful day. I would be thrilled if you would join me on our third walk this July to raise awareness and funding for this extraordinary charity. Research now shows that at least 12 young lives are being lost each week. This shocking waste must be stopped. It is my belief that every young person in the UK should be screened.”
“Put on your walking shoes, join me on 26 July and make London sit up and listen!”
What your walk achieves for CRY
Your involvement is crucial to helping CRY raise awareness of sudden cardiac death in young people. Fundraising for CRY can help to:
