Schoolkids are to be screened

Garry McGrotty, Michael Logan and George McAlpin will be running two marathons to raise funds for Cardiac Risk in the Youth (CRY)

CRY is a charity very close to the hearts of the trio.

Their friend, promising golfer, Aaron Lundy tragically died of a heart condition following a soccer match in Portstewart ten years ago.

CRY is a charity that aims to make heart screening accessible to all young people throughout Northern Ireland. They work with cardiologists and family doctors to promote and protect the cardiac health of young people, by establishing good practice and screening facilities, to significantly reduce the frequency of young sudden death throughout the UK

Garry told the Times: "We do something every year in memory of Aaron and to raise money for CRY.

"This year we will run both the Belfast and London Marathons. The London Marathon is something I've always wanted to do. I remember watching it on TV last year, and I decided that I would do it."

Garry, Michael and George have been training hard in preparation for the two events.

Money raised by the trio this year will be used in the Coleraine area. Garry explains: "John, Aaron's father, George, Michael and I have decided to give the money back to the local community this year.

"We have been working with secondary schools in the area, a number of pupils from the schools will be screened with the money that we raise.

"It's very exciting, and its great to be giving something back to the local community, who have always been very supportive of our fundraising efforts for Cardiac Risk in the Young."

John Lundy, who is a Northern Ireland representative for CRY added: "On behalf of CRY I want to sincerely thank Garry, George and Michael for their fundraising effort for CRY. I would encourage local people to support them, as they prepare for the London and Belfast marathons.

"The support that CRY receives from people in the Coleraine area is very humbling, and we are absolutely delighted with the proposal to split the funds raised among the local secondary schools to screen pupils and raise awareness of cardiac risk."

John went on to encourage all young people to have a life saving heart screening: "It is very important that young people are aware of their health.

"We believe that screening can help save lives and we would encourage young people to get screened whether they are involved in sport or not. "

BY NICHOLA FORGRAVE