The 14th of January 2024 will mark 10 years since I had my sudden cardiac arrest in school at the age of 12. I have been thinking how i would like to mark the 10 year anniversary and have decided on raising money for a charity very close to my heart❤️

I was extremely lucky to be in the right place at the right time (with the right person!) when I suffered from a cardiac arrest, however, many aren’t as lucky as me. Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people aged 35 and under die from undiagnosed cardiac conditions. Cardiac Risk in the young (CRY) is a wonderful Charity with the aim to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD). Through raising awareness, screening young people for heart conditions, and engaging in research CRY hopes to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young. By supporting CRY you will help save young lives from these potentially fatal cardiac conditions.

Thanks to the incredible school Nurse at the time, (a wonderful lady called Nicky Armstrong!) I was resuscitated successfully. It was an extremely difficult few years that followed with plenty of hospital stays and surgeries, but because of Nicky, and all the other wonderful staff involved in my care at Royal Cornwall Hospital and Bristol Children’s Hospital, I have experienced 10 wonderful “bonus” years, with many many more to come! Those extra years have meant I was able to be a bridesmaid for the first time, go to Prom, sit my exams, celebrate my 18th and 21st birthdays, see my precious sister get engaged and become her maid of honour! Exposure to the world of cardiology at a young age inspired me to enrol in my degree in Cardiac Physiology. I hope to give the same care, compassion, and support I received from the various health professionals involved in my care, to my patients, to enable them to experience wonderful milestone moments of their own.

See how your support can help by visiting www.c-r-y.org.uk