Posted by PaulClabburn on Sep 10, 2015 in 2015, Awareness, Fund-raising event
Stephanie and Jane.
Stephanie Marshall and Jane Kinghorn are taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday in aid of CRY – and with thoughts of ‘Prosecco’ very much in mind.
Claire was known as ‘Prosecco’ by workmates at the BBC and Jane, a close friend of Claire’s, explained: “Stephanie and I hate running but we’re doing one last run in memory of Claire. Claire loved a latte so we’d love you to put the cost of a couple of those onto our fundraising page. In truth, she loved Prosecco more and so that’s our team name. If you want to stretch to the fizz – that would be great too.”
You can support the pair here.
Stephanie added: “Such is the legacy of the amazing Claire Prosser that although I never had the pleasure of meeting the lady, I wish I had. My dear friend, Jane, was so incredibly fond of her that I really couldn’t turn down the big pleading eyes that said ‘C’mon, we’ve got to do the Great North Run for Claire – for CRY – let’s call it our last hurrah.’
“Way overweight – and far too busy for a proper training schedule – without a thought I said ‘Yes!’
“So here we are, the gallant Team Prosecco, months of training plans sort of followed later and looking forward to the start line and, of course, the finish. Did I mention we might have a glass of fizz to toast absent friends at the end of a hilly 13.1 miles? Well, only if we’ve run out of energy drinks!
“We set out to raise £500 for the cause and now we’re well on the way to £2000 – this is the last push. If you’re in two minds about supporting us, did we tell you we’re doing it in a big red foam love heart? No? I didn’t know either – something else Claire would find highly amusing too by all accounts. Bang goes that course record then …
“Look out for us this Sunday, September 13. We’ll do our best to get on the telly and give you all a laugh.”
Posted by PaulClabburn on Sep 9, 2015 in 2015, Awareness, Book sale, Brentford, Fund-raising event
Getting the message across at the Brentford Festival.
The sun shone and the crowds flocked to the Brentford Festival where a book sale in aid of Tom and Claire’s Fund attracted plenty of attention on Sunday, September 6.
The stall was organised by members of Claire’s book group; Anne Marie Reilly, Mariita Eager, Debbie Young, Justine O’Driscoll and Vanessa Boulter.
“We made £330 and, just as importantly, spoke to lots of people and handed out leaflets,” said Anne Marie. “Lots of people of all ages stopped to read the information even if they didn’t buy so all in all it was a very satisfying day.”
Gina, Dave, Debbie, Anne Marie and Mariita.
Justine, Debbie, Anne Marie and Vanessa.
Posted by PaulClabburn on Sep 5, 2015 in 2015, Awareness, Fund-raising event, The Andrew Carter Memorial Mile
Sandra Courtney, Joyce and Colin Carter and Kelvin Walker with runners at the start of the race.
More than 110 runners took part in The Andrew Carter Memorial Mile in Lammas Park, Ealing, on Saturday, September 5 – and raised more than £1,000 for Tom and Claire’s Fund and CRY.
Andrew took part in the 2014 Ealing Half Marathon, collapsing shortly before the end following a cardiac arrest. He passed away the following Wednesday.
Andrew’s parents, Colin and Joyce, both attended the memorial mile. After thanking all those who had organised and supported the event, Colin told runners at the start of the race: “We would like to endorse our whole hearted support for CRY. We strongly believe in both research into sudden death syndrome amongst young people and that the screening of people taking part in races is a positive move.”
He added: “We believe that if the donations in his memory help to save one young life, it would be a fitting tribute to Andrew.”
The race was organised by Ealing Half Marathon organisors Sandra Courtney and Kelvin Walker who said: “What a fantastic turn out. Over 110 runners and lots of cheering spectators and our amazing volunteers. It’s by far our largest charity mile to date.
“Thanks to everyone who came along and your amazing generosity and a special thanks to Colin and Joyce for being there with us today along with Andrew’s friends and AIB colleagues.”
Paul Clabburn said: “We are extremely grateful to Colin and Joyce for donating the money raised to the Fund. It represents a major contribution towards our next free CRY screenings in Ealing in November – full details of how to book will appear on this site nearer the time.”
Posted by PaulClabburn on Sep 3, 2015 in 2015, Awareness, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Fund-raising event
The Andrew Carter Memorial Mile in aid of Tom and Claire’s Fund and CRY will take place in Lammas Park, Ealing, on Saturday, September 5, at 11am. You can sign up here.
Andrew took part in the 2014 Ealing Half Marathon, collapsing shortly before the end following a cardiac arrest. He passed away the following Wednesday.
The event is being organised by Kelvin Walker, organiser of the Ealing Half Marathon, who said: “Andrew’s family are keen to promote the great work which CRY undertake and hope that this mile will help raise funds to enable more screening to take place.
“The mile is for all abilities and is free to enter – all that we ask is for a donation to be made either online here or on the day. We look forward to seeing everyone there.”
The next free CRY screening event in Ealing for those aged 14-35, sponsored by Tom and Claire’s Fund, will be held on Sunday, November 15. Details of how to book will appear on this site nearer the time.
Posted by PaulClabburn on Sep 2, 2015 in 2015, Awareness, Book sale, Claire Prosser, Fund-raising event
Claire and Ellen at the 2014 Brentford Festival.
You can grab some autumn reading from a bookstall in aid of Tom and Claire’s Fund at the Brentford Festival this coming Sunday, September 6.
Members of Claire’s book group, Anne Marie Reilly, Mariita Eager, Debbie Young, Justine O’Driscoll and Vanessa Boulter, are organising the event. Anne Marie said: “Last year for the first time Claire and Ellen had a CRY bookstall at the Festival.
“It was a great success and Claire was delighted to have the opportunity to talk to a new group of local residents and increase awareness about the work of CRY and also raise some money.
“We thought we would like to carry on the event in memory of Claire and to continue her good work for CRY. Do come along and support us and enjoy the festivities.”
The Brentford Festival is a well established annual community-led event with live bands, food and drink, rides, stalls and more. It takes place from 12 noon to 6 pm, in Blondin Park, Ealing. Full details here.
Posted by PaulClabburn on Aug 27, 2015 in 2015, Awareness, Fund-raising event
Hannah: “Coming out of the plane is bonkers”.
Hannah Dunn, a cousin of Claire’s, jumped from 13,000 feet over Salisbury Plain in her first skydive – all in aid of Tom and Claire’s Fund.
If memory serves correctly, it’s the first time anyone’s ever thrown themselves into the ether for the Fund and you can watch the video of Hannah’s tandem skydive here.
“I’ve always said I wanted to do a parachute jump, so imagine my surprise at Xmas when I opened my present from my husband for a tandem parachute jump,” said Hannah, who has raised at least £1,200.
“I am so pleased to be able to give something back to CRY which I know is an amazing charity. This was in loving memory of Tom Clabburn & Claire Prosser.”
Hannah jumped with The Army Parachute Association, based at Skydive Netheravon, Wiltshire, on August 16.
Thanks to Hannah for a brilliant first for the Fund and you can still support her here.
Posted by PaulClabburn on Aug 7, 2015 in 2015, Cardiac Risk in the Young, CRY screenings
Tom Clabburn: “…so rare.” But not in the sense the UK NSC meant.
The announcement by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) that it will not be recommending a national cardiac screening programme for young people aged 12-39 left me, as with much in life, with more questions than answers, a healthy dose of bewilderment, no little anger and much sadness.
Sadness because the UK NSC’s next review will not start until 2018/19. So we know from the outset that, based on CRY’s 12-a-week figure, just short of 2,000 more UK citizens, all of them young, will likely have died by the time anyone takes another look. Many could have lived.
That’s shameful.
Can you imagine if 12 cyclists were killed each week on London’s roads? That would be carnage. There would, quite rightly, be outrage, a huge public outcry. So why not in this case, too?
Posted by PaulClabburn on Jul 30, 2015 in 2015, Awareness, Cardiac Risk in the Young, Dr Rupa Huq MP
A screenshot showing part of CRY’s APPG membership list.
Dr Rupa Huq, the newly elected MP for Ealing Central and Acton, has joined CRY’s All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).
The group is made up of MPs of all political persuasions and is united by an interest in, and support for, CRY’s work.
Dr Huq said: “Too many families and young people are affected by this often undiagnosed risk and sometimes with tragic consequences. I believe we should be doing all we can to highlight the risk and to support research which is why I joined the APPG.”
Paul Clabburn said: “We’re delighted that Dr Huq has joined. Since Tom died in 2007, we’ve repeatedly asked our constituency MP, whether Labour or Conservative, if they would consider joining the group and this is the first time we’ve had a positive response.
“We were aware that Dr Huq followed Tom and Claire’s Fund on Twitter so we are very grateful that she has gone the extra step and will help to ensure CRY’s message is heard in parliament.”
You can see the full list of MPs who belong to CRY’s APPG here.
