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Posted by PaulClabburn on Jul 21, 2021 in 2021, Awareness, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Uncategorized

Heather’s epic run for Tom and all those like him @CRY_UK

Heather Reid is a remarkable woman who has set herself an extraordinary challenge – to run 624 miles in tribute to all the young people who CRY say die suddenly from a ‘hidden’ heart condition every year in the UK.

Having lost her own 16-year-old daughter, Alex, in 2012, Heather has dedicated each mile of the final 120 miles to an individual who has died too soon. On Monday July 19, at our request, Heather ran in memory of Tom.

Heather said: “It was a privilege to run a mile in honour of Tom. Early on Monday morning I went for a very hot but beautiful run along the Chesterfield canal. It was a gorgeous morning and the birds were singing in full voice.

“The top photograph is where I paused after I had completed Tom’s mile in memory. It is Oneslide lock between a hamlet called Turner Wood and Shireoaks.

“It was so peaceful and a perfect place to take a few moments to think about Tom and also you, your family and friends.

“Throughout this year long challenge I have watched the seasons change. I have watched the trees turn, drop and become renewed again. I have observed this family of ducks hatch and grow.”

Later, Heather explained that she was approaching her penultimate week and added: “I can’t believe I am almost there now.”

Heather is from Thorpe Salvin, a village close to Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Since her daughter’s death, she and her husband John – supported by friends, family, the local community and Alex’s school and sporting friends – have raised awareness of young sudden cardiac death and the importance of screening and research.

We’re grateful beyond words that Heather included Tom in her endeavour and look forward to reading that she has successfully completed her trek. Bon voyage, Heather!

Posted by PaulClabburn on May 24, 2021 in 2021, Awareness, Cardiac Risk in the Young, CRY London Bridges Walk, Uncategorized

Walk again for @CRY_UK on June 27 #YSCD

CRY Walk 3 en route — En route during last year’s walk.

We’ll be walking in memory of Tom and all those like him on Sunday, June 27.

We will set out in support of Cardiac Risk in the Young at 1100 from Kew Green. We’ll take a circular route via Chiswick and Kew Bridges, finishing back at Kew Green. It’s about three miles and takes an hour or so to complete.

While ensuring we are compliant with whatever COVID regulations are in place at the time, we’d love as many people as possible to join us. Let us know you’re coming by emailing thetomclabburnfund@gmail.com or by leaving a message on our Facebook page.

It’s the second year in succession, CRY has had to cancel its Heart of London Bridges Walk because of uncertainty caused by the COVID pandemic. CRY says: “We can’t wait to (virtually) walk with you this year. On 27th June, join us from wherever you are in the UK.” It’s the 15^th year the walk has taken place.

If you want to register, do so here. You don’t have to but it gets you a T-shirt. Like many charities, CRY has struggled during COVID and needs to raise its profile again. A proudly worn tee will help to do just that.

If anyone needed reminding about the value of CRY’s work, a recent documentary on the BBC, “Sudden Adult Death: My Sister’s Silent Killer”, highlights the importance. It follows a brother’s search for answers after losing his 19-year-old sister to an undiagnosed heart condition. We’d urge anyone to watch but, be warned, the first couple of minutes, which replay the recorded call to emergency services, are particularly hard. It’s available on BBC iPlayer.

Posted by PaulClabburn on Nov 23, 2020 in 2020, Awareness, Cardiac Risk in the Young

Great cake bake for @CRY_UK

CRY great cake bake. — Hayley and Ellen.

CRY’s annual Great Cake Bake took place against the background of COVID restrictions.

Ellen Clabburn said: “Hayley and I decided to bake something to mark CRY’s raising awareness week (16-22 November) and the CRY Great Bake.

“Although fundraising is more of a challenge during lockdown, we can still raise awareness via social media.

“We feel that, without screenings this year, it is more important than ever to raise awareness of the 12 young people who die each week from undiagnosed heart conditions.”

Posted by PaulClabburn on Jun 29, 2020 in 2020, Awareness, Cardiac Risk in the Young, CRY London Bridges Walk

Team Tom XIII walks on for @CRY_UK

Gathering for the walk.

It’s a sobering thought that more than eight thousand 14 to 35-year olds will have died since we first walked with CRY in 2008 to raise awareness of undiagnosed heart conditions in young people and to remember Tom.

This year’s CRY Heart of London Bridges Walk had to be cancelled because of coronavirus and so, like many families across the UK, we held our own socially distanced walk in west London.

Remembering Tom and all those like him at the two-minute silence.

Despite the awful situation the country currently finds itself in, we cannot lose sight of the need to ensure that the 12 young people who CRY say die every week from undiagnosed heart conditions are given the chance of a future.

We’re grateful to those who knew Tom for giving up their time and walking, more than a decade after his passing. It’s something we hugely appreciate. I very much hope we can all gather together again in London for a full-length bridges walk next year.

Another bridge crossed.

Stay safe,

Paul and Ellen x

Posted by PaulClabburn on Nov 18, 2019 in 2019, Awareness, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Ealing, Fund-raising event

Fundraisers Jules and Clive take a long and winding road for @CRY_UK

Clive and Juliet.

Cycling four hundred kilometres in five days in temperatures higher than thirty degrees centigrade is the challenge Clive and Juliet Matthews have set themselves as they raise money for Tom and Claire’s Fund.

The pair, from Ealing, are aiming to cycle from Mumbai to Goa between November 30th and December 4th, 2019. You can support them here.

“We will be thinking about Claire and Tom every day that we’re training and cycling,” said Jules, who continues to recover from injuries after being hit by a car in 2015. “I am still very nervous when crossing a road so this is a nerve wracking challenge for me, apart from the fact that my fitness is seriously lacking!”

The couple, who are covering all the costs themselves, will be cycling about seven hours a day. The hot and hilly route will take them south through India.

Clive, who has gone through rigorous checks that his heart is strong enough for the testing conditions, having had a few issues of his own in the past, said: “I love challenges, and this couldn’t be for a better cause. I just hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew in the sub-continent.”

Paul Clabburn said: “It’s not the first time Jules and Clive have helped to raise money for the Fund and we’ve extremely grateful for their efforts. They have been great supporters of our family and I hope this latest challenge is a wonderful experience.”

Posted by PaulClabburn on Nov 4, 2019 in 2019, Awareness, Cardiac Risk in the Young, CRY screenings, Ealing

More than 90 young people have free @CRY_UK heart tests in #Ealing

Ellen with members of the CRY screening team.

A total of 95 young people aged between 14-35 were screened by Cardiac Risk in the Young at the Florence Road surgery, Florence Road, Ealing, on Sunday, November 4.

The free screenings were sponsored by Tom and Claire’s Fund.

Ellen Clabburn said: “It’s our tenth year of sponsoring such screenings, which is a tremendous tribute to the fund-raising efforts of the local community. They’ve raised the money which enables the screenings to take place and be free at point of use. This simply wouldn’t happen without people supporting the fund and it’s hugely appreciated that they do so.

“We’d like to thank the CRY team for their dedication and professionalism and, as ever, we’re very grateful to Dr Evans and all those at Florence Road surgery for hosting the event.”

Further screenings are planned for Ealing in autumn 2020.

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