The Datebook Datebook Autumn 18 Calendar of Events | Page 16

Rebecca Zouvani: Fund-raising
Manager, Cardiac Risk in the Young
“We were all delighted and
pledged to “make it happen”
… and it was agreed it would
take place the following
summer. This “marathon” event
would be followed by a shorter
walk the following week, for
CRY supporters, crossing 8
bridges between Westminster
and Tower Bridge (including an
even shorter, wheelchair and
buggy friendly route).
Rebecca Zouvani.
“O
ne of my most
memorable moments
– amongst many – that I’ve
experienced working for
Cardiac Risk in the Young
(CRY) over the past 12 years
took place back in 2006,
shortly after joining the
charity.
“Kathryn Harries, international
soprano, was invited to
become a CRY Patron and,
during her discussions with
CRY’s then Chief Executive
about how she could help,
spoke of her idea of walking
across all the Thames Bridges
between Hampton Court and
Tower Bridges (around 32
miles) in one day to raise
awareness and funds.
“I set about organising both
events, including “mapping
out” three different routes,
booking venues and securing
various permissions needed as
well as arranging PR,
photography, fundraising packs,
refreshments, balloons, and
volunteers!
“Kathryn’s walk was no small
feat, as I soon discovered. I
decided to trial the route at the
weekends with the help of a
good friend who enjoys walking.
It was interesting seeing
different parts of London from
a river perspective, whilst
checking for hazards and
working out suitable rest stops!
“On July 7th 2007, Kathryn,
her friend Diana and “CRY’s
cameraman” set off from
Hampton Court Bridge with
friends, family and CRY staff
joining them for various
Kathryn Harries (2nd from the left) and CRY supporters get ready to
‘step off’ for CRY.
sections of the route. It was a
wonderful day and we were all
thrilled to meet them at Tower
Bridge at around 8.30pm after
they’d successfully completed
the challenge.
“The second, shorter walk
named “the CRY Heart of
London Bridges Walk” took
place just over a week later
(July 15th), with Kathryn
leading around 400 CRY
supporters, mostly bereaved
families. This has now become
CRY’s annual flagship event,
attracting up to 1,900 people
every year and Kathryn remains
an active supporter!
“So, from Kathryn’s original
idea sown in 2006 – which I
feel so proud to have played a
part in – a major annual event
has evolved, raising over
£800,000 to date and an
immeasurable amount of
awareness.
“Every week in the UK, at least
12 apparently “fit and healthy”
young people (35 and under)
die from a previously
undiagnosed heart condition.
In 80% of cases of young
sudden cardiac death (YSCD)
there will have been no signs
or symptoms, which is why CRY
believes proactive cardiac
screening is so vitally
important. As such, CRY now
tests around 27,000 young
people each year aged
between 14 and 35 and over
170,000 since the screening
programme was launched in
1995.”
One in every 300 young people
tested by CRY will be identified
with a potentially life-threating
condition.
For more information about
CRY, please go to;
www.c-r-y.org.uk
Kathryn Harries (wearing a blue polo shirt) leading the walk with CRY supporters.
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THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK