We are delighted to inform you that on Wednesday 14 March, Varndean College has been selected as a venue at which to host CRY CARDIAC TESTING for young people aged 14-35.
Tragically, and very sadly this has only come about as a result of the sudden and unexpected death of one of our students, Annie Edwards, three years ago as a result of a rare heart condition called Brugada Syndrome. Up until then, Annie had been a fit and healthy young 17
year old with her entire future ahead of her. Annie was at Varndean studying A Levels in English Language, Classical Civilisation and Graphic Design and had planned to go on to study English and Classical Literature at Birmingham University.
As a result of Annie’s death, Mike Bonsor, the father of Annie’s very close friend Ruth, felt compelled to do something to help prevent other families going through similar tragic circumstances and in 2016 began raising money for the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). This funding he would then use to provide heart screening locally for young people like Annie. Typically for every 300 young people screened, one is found to have an unidentified heart condition. In June 2016 Mike made his first sponsored cycling trip, riding over 1000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats and 18 months later is still actively raising money for the charity. Mike has said on his fundraising JustGiving Page, “If through what we raise, one young life is spared through screening or other means, then it will have been worth it. If through this we spare one family that pain, it will be worth it. I know for a fact that I never ever want to hear Ruth cry the way she did when she found out.”
You can view Ruth and Mike’s emotional story here https://vimeo.com/251312383/d7eca1c545 which we will also be showing to students throughout Core Studies over the next few weeks.
So, thanks to Mike and his family, Varndean is able to offer 100 students the opportunity to take up a place at the CRY Cardiac Testing Day on 14 March. Attached (click here) with this email is a letter from CRY explaining the screening process in more detail, together with instructions on how to book and a detailed information sheet.
Places are being offered strictly on first come, first served basis to Varndean College students only. If you would like to book a place, please visit www.testmyheart.org.uk and use the unique code given to you in CRY’s letter. If you wish to find out more about the screening, you can also visit the charity’s website www.c-r-y.org.uk
Whilst writing, may I also ask if anyone wishes to contribute to Mike’s fundraising page in order help provide funding for further screenings for young people, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mike-bonsor3 I do hope that you choose to take up this opportunity being provided for the College. Lives have been saved by it.
Yours sincerely
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| Phil Harland Principal |
