The Tom Clabburn Memorial Fund

“Oh %! I’m climbing a mountain”

Posted by PaulClabburn on Nov 22, 2013 in 2013, Awareness, Fund-raising event

“Seriously? You mean he’s going up there?”

Christopher Cockburn, quite heroically in our view, is taking on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The headline, taken from his own words, probably won’t be reproduced by the Ealing Gazette but it succinctly sums up his feelings.

We’re hugely grateful that Chris, who knew Tom well, is making the climb on behalf of Tom’s Fund and CRY in either January or February 2014.

He has a Justgiving page up and running at http://www.justgiving.com/christophercockburn

Please show your support for Chris by giving it a Facebook like, Tweeting it etc. If you know anyone who wants to donate, please point them in the direction of his page. He’s trying to raise £500 and, just as importantly, he’ll help to raise shedloads of awareness.

So thanks again Chris and good luck from me, Claire and Ellen!

Thanks for the donation

Posted by PaulClabburn on Nov 21, 2013 in 2013, Fund-raising event

Another donation, this time from David. Thank you very much!

So are you more Jamie or Nigella?

Posted by PaulClabburn on Nov 18, 2013 in 2013, Awareness

CRY’s second Great Cake Bake is coming up on Friday November 29 as part of the charity’s annual Raising Awareness Week.

So put your culinary skills to the test and raise awareness and cash for CRY in an event supported by a host of celebrity chefs.

Full details of how to sign up at http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/Great_Cake_Bake_2013.html

Thanks for the donations

Posted by PaulClabburn on Nov 14, 2013 in 2013, Fund-raising event

Thank you very much to Dave, Steph and Neil for the donations over the past week. We’ve very grateful for your support.

Taking your child to a CRY heart screening

Posted by PaulClabburn on Nov 11, 2013 in 2013, Awareness, CRY screenings

The thought of taking someone to a heart screening can be daunting. Here, journalist and family friend Stephanie Smith reflects on her experience at the Ealing screenings on November 10.

It was fantastic being able to get my son, Fergus’s, heart checked out locally with a minimum of fuss in a really efficient way.

He will hopefully be off to university next year, and no longer living at home full-time, so it was an opportune moment to do so.

Everyone was friendly and welcoming at the screening, the paperwork was just kept to essentials, and an atmosphere of calm professionalism prevailed, which helped to overcome my son’s initial nerves concerning the procedure.

The test itself took no more than a few minutes, and after a short wait, and a brief chat with the doctor, he was back off to his five-a-side football.

It’s truly wonderful that medical professionals and volunteers give up their time to help, let alone the fund-raising that has gone on beforehand to achieve this, as it would not be available on the NHS, and cost hundreds of pounds to have it done privately.

Although we knew the bundle of fun, Tom Clabburn, in whose name the sessions were made possible, many people in the room had no personal connection, but were quietly waiting their turn, and grateful for the opportunity the CRY scheme gives.

A successful day of screenings

Posted by PaulClabburn on Nov 11, 2013 in 2013, Awareness, CRY screenings

Claire and Paul, centre, with the CRY team

Nearly 90 people were tested at the latest free CRY Heart Screenings in Ealing on Sunday, November 10.

Tom’s mum, Claire, said “This is the fifth year in a row we have been able to hold screenings in west London thanks to fund-raising by our friends and supporters. We are pleased that so many people took up the opportunity in the month that would have been Tom’s 21st birthday”

Of the 86 people tested, 8 will have further reviews.

As ever, we are grateful to the CRY team, pictured with us above, for their enthusiasm and professionalism.

CRY’s efforts in contacting people with reminders in advance of the event (thanks Suzanne), paid dividends, with numbers up on last year and fewer cancellations.