This September I will be taking part in the Great North Run with my friend Cath. It takes a lot for me to dig out my trainers, but I can't think of a better reason than to support CRY.

I never imagined that seemingly healthy and fit young people could have undiagnosed heart conditions. Sadly, the reality of the situation became all too clear on the 28 December 1996 when our friend Mike Scott collapsed and died while playing basketball aged 17.

Mike had everything going for him. He always had time for others - even taking on the coaching of our Girls' basketball team with unbelievable patience! Mike couldn't have looked more fit and healthy and his death was shocking and tragic.

On the 28 September 2009 a friend from work lost her son, Tom Reid, to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) in similar unreasonable, sudden and heartbreaking circumstances. It was the first day of Tom's University life in London. He was 19 and had the world at his feet. Loved by everyone who knew him, Tom's death has devastated his family, friends and the wider community.

Mike and Tom are just two of the unacceptable number of young people whose lives are cut short.

It is estimated that each week 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions. wEvery week 12 apparently fit and

We want to do what we can to help CRY save young lives and support bereaved families. 2010 is a big year for CRY as they celebrate their 15^th year anniversary. The 2010 vision is to work with cardiologists and family doctors to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young by establishing good practice and screening facilities devoted to significantly reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death throughout the .

Any contribution you can make will make a real difference.

XXX