Hundreds of teenagers underwent heart screenings at a Nantwich school as part of Cardiac Risk in the Young initiative.
Of the 234 booked in, 214 youngsters attended – and tests picked up a number of conditions, says organiser Sue Dewhirst.
The event was set up by Sue after raising funds for the CRY for Matthew Appeal, in memory of her son Matthew Dewhirst.
The teenager collapsed and died of an undiagnosed heart condition during rugby training.
And at the Brine Leas screenings, three cases of Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome were found, which causes the heart to beat abnormally fast due to an extra electrical connection in the heart.
These people will be monitored by CRY and referred to a cardiologist for treatment.
The event also raised £1,215 in donations which will be put towards next year’s screening.
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager, also attended shortly before his side’s FA Cup defeat to Eastleigh.
Also present was local defibrillator campaigners Berny Lunt and her son Harrison, who used a Brine Leas school project to raise awareness for more defibs in the town.
Berny, from Aston near Nantwich, said: “The doctors and cardiologists give their time for free to the screenings.
“Each screening day costs £3,500. If you want the same test privately, the cost would be £700 per heart!”
Harrison added: “When I started my project, I never imagined I would be able to have even one screening at my school, let alone two!
“But thanks to Sue from C.R.Y for Matthew and the team from Cardiac Risk in the Young, that goal became a reality.
“I am so pleased CRY has done these screenings at my school. Three young people can now get the treatment they need.
“I would like to thank Sue who has supported me from the beginning and helped me raise awareness of cardiac risk in young people.
“I intend to carry on helping Sue raise funds for this fantastic charity so other young people in our local area can continue to get free cardiac screenings in the future.”
Brine Leas headteacher Andrew Cliffe has pledged the use of the school for more screening events in the future.
If you were not able to attend but want to get screened for undetected heart defects, visit www.testmyheart.org
(pictures courtesy of nicpics.co.uk)
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