A Heart month ‘thank you’ #12aweek
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#cardiacriskintheyoung
Read MoreAt least 1,200 people took part in CRY’s Heart of London Bridges Walk on Sunday, June 23, the biggest turnout since before the pandemic.
Team Tom walked for the seventeenth time and it was wonderful to see how many people participated in Tom and Claire’s memory. Some had travelled long distances to be there.
“We’ve walked every year that there’s been a CRY Bridges Walk since 2008,” said Paul Clabburn. “To be joined by such a large group after so many years was inspiring. Ellen and I would like to say a huge thanks to all who took part. It really is appreciated.”
#heartoflondonbridgeswalk2024
Read MoreAround 800 people took part in this year’s annual Cardiac Risk in the Young Heart of London Bridges Walk on Sunday, 25 July.
Team Tom 16 walked again in memory of Tom and Claire, setting off from Southwark Park on a six mile route that crossed several of the capital’s iconic bridges.
“We’re extremely grateful to all those who walked, especially on such a hot day,” said Paul Clabburn. “It was a tremendous effort and we really appreciate people choosing to spend their time supporting CRY.
“It’s the first Bridges walk since the recent death of Tom’s Grandpa, Gordon Prosser. Gordon was a great supporter of CRY and already 76 when Team Tom first walked in 2008. He completed the course for the last time in 2019 when 87 and, but for lockdown, he’d probably have managed one or two more. It felt right to walk in his memory too.
“Thank you as well to all those who kindly donated to Tom and Claire’s Fund to mark the occasion of the walk.”
While it took place, Tom’s sister, Ellen, and her friends promoted CRY at Glastonbury festival, sporting Heart of London Bridges T-shirts.
Tributes were paid before the start of the walk to the late Kathryn Harries, opera singer and CRY patron, who came up with the idea of the CRY Bridges Walk. I well remember Kathryn always taking the time to talk and listen to those taking part in the event. Our condolences to her family.
Tom’s grandpa, Claire’s dad, Gordon Prosser, who died on Saturday, May 27 aged 91, was a great supporter of CRY.
Gordon was a familiar sight on the Heart of London Bridges Walk. He first completed the circuit in 2008 when he was 76 and he continued to do so into his late eighties. He was said to have been the oldest person to have taken part.
If you would like to take part in this year’s walk, on Sunday June 25, you can register here.
As with every other charity, the pandemic made raising funds and awareness that much harder and so we’d really appreciate as many people as possible signing up for Team Tom 16. Sadly, Gordon won’t be there to walk with us but I’ll still picture him striding along.
Read MoreThe first Cardiac Risk in the Young London Bridges Walk since 2019 took place on Sunday, June 26.
Around 650 walkers had registered for the five and a half mile walk over London’s Bridges.
Ten of the participants made up Team Tom 15 and we are extremely grateful to all those who walked this year.
The Glastonbury extension to Team Tom featured Ellen and friends …
CRY’s 16th annual Heart of London Bridges Walk will be held in two months’ time on Sunday, June 26. You can register here.
We’ll be taking part again as Team Tom XV, hoping to raise awareness of CRY’s work. Twelve young people a week aged 14-35 die of undiagnosed heart conditions.
It will be great to be back on the start line at Southwark Park after a couple of years of COVID induced “virtual walks” in our local area. Hope to see you there!
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