After raising significant amounts of funds for Tenovus Cancer Care, the DPJ Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance over the past few years, Ashmole & Co accountancy firm are delighted to announce its new charity for this year is Cardiac Risk in the Young – C-R-Y.
With thirteen offices spread across west, mid and south Wales, the staff of Ashmole & Co were in favour of supporting a charity that helps to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research, as well as supporting affected families.
Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions. Since its formation in 1995, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD). CRY supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by YSCD. CRY promotes and develops heart screening programmes and funds medical research. CRY publishes and distributes medical information written by leading cardiologists for the general public. CRY also funds specialist referral, screening and cardiac pathology services at leading UK hospitals.
Ian Badham, Ashmole & Co Partner in the Haverfordwest and Tenby offices, said,
“Some of our staff, including myself, are aware of CRY and its heart screening programme. Certainly in Pembrokeshire we are very aware of the Dean Mason Memorial fund, which raises awareness and money for CRY across west Wales. Having met Daniel Mason we look forward to raising funds for support and the screening programme here in Wales.”
Daniel Mason, from Pembrokeshire, represents the Dean Mason Memorial Fund and CRY in Wales. He said,
“We are very grateful to Ashmole & Co for choosing to help raise funds for CRY over the next 12 months. Your donations will mean that we can continue to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death in young people. As part of this year of events we will work with the staff and partners in the accountancy firm to help them appreciate how the money raised is used in Wales.”
In June 2010 Daniel’s family was on holiday when his brother Dean, aged just 26, passed away from a cardiac arrest caused by an undiagnosed cardiac problem. It was found that Dean had a slightly enlarged left ventricle and no other issue could be found as to the cause of his death. To say that this was a shock seems a huge understatement as there is no getting away from the fact this changed the family’s lives forever. After being made aware of Cardiac Risk in the Young and discovering how many families experience what they went through, the charity became a big part of their lives as a family. Having become familiar with the work CRY do in both preventative measures and also support supplied to grieving families and friends, Daniel became involved. When you realise that a simple screening could save a life in the space of a 10 minute appointment it’s a great incentive to get people to take the time to be screened.
As part of the fundraising activities, Ashmole & Co will be doing a sponsored walk later in the year, have dress-down Fridays, cake bakes and some staff will be taking part in running events.
CRY’s CEO, Dr Steven Cox, said;
“Firstly, I’d like to thank the team at Ashmole & Co for selecting CRY as its charity of the year. Our services receive no government support and therefore it’s only due to the fundraising efforts of families, communities and businesses, that we’re able to deliver screening to young people across the UK at no cost to any individual who wishes to have their heart tested. CRY screens around 30,000 young people every year and we’re proud to have tested the hearts of thousands of young people living in Wales with many, many of those tests funded by money raised in memory of Dean Mason.
“Research saves lives too, so every penny counts towards maintaining our internationally acclaimed research programme and the ongoing training of cardiologists, who will become experts in the detection and treatment of the conditions that can cause a sudden cardiac arrest in a young person. Fundraising and corporate donations also mean we can provide CRY’s specialist, ‘peer-to-peer’ bereavement network – an invaluable lifeline for families and friends facing such unimaginable and devastating grief.
“This 12-month partnership will not only provide crucial funding but will also help to raise awareness of our cause and vital work. Together, we can save young lives – so, thank you again Ashmole & Co, your support is hugely appreciated.”
For more information about CRY’s services please visit the website: www.c-r-y.org.uk or to register interest for a cardiac screening near you, visit: www.testmyheart.org.uk
Any donations to support Ashmole & Co’s fundraising would be very gratefully received. Here is the link to the Just Giving page, or you can donate directly at any office: Ashmole and co is fundraising for Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Feature image: Ashmole & Co Haverfordwest Partner, Ian Badham, with Daniel Mason from the Dean Mason Memorial Fund
