KNUTSFORD First Responders are seeking support for a heart screening event in 2019 following its latest free screening on Saturday.

The group joined forces with the Aaron Dixon Memorial Fund and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to provide free heart screening for 103 young people.

Knutsford Community First Responder Trust has been raising money to host free cardiac screening days in Knutsford since 2016. The days are provided by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Since its formation in 1995 CRY has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death, and among other initiatives CRY offers subsidised ECG and Echocardiogram screening to young people between the ages of 14 and 35.

Aaron Dixon died at the age of 23 due to an undiagnosed genetic heart defect. Since then Aaron’s mother Debbie has fundraised tirelessly to provide screenings soother families do not have to suffer the anguish she has experienced.

Lisa Johnson from the First Responder trust’s executive committee said: “Every week 12 apparently fit and healthy young (aged 35 and under) people lose their lives to sudden cardiac death in the UK.

“A staggering 80 per cent of these apparently healthy young people who die from young sudden cardiac death (YSCD) will have shown no previous sign of heart defects until it is too late – which is why screening is vitally important.

“If there has been a young (under 35) sudden death in the family, the family is entitled to be screened on the NHS but otherwise routine screening is not available.

“CRY offers subsidised ECG and Echocardiogram screening to all young people between the ages of 14 and 35.

“There is a simple way to diagnose most cardiac abnormalities. This is by having an ECG (electrocardiogram) test.

“Results are read by a cardiologist. For extra clarity an Echocardiogram (ultrasound scan) can also be done. The conditions can be treated, securing a future for those identified.”

All CRY’s public events are free to attend. For details of future screenings see testmyheart.org.uk

Knutsford First Responders are raising money for the next screening in Knutsford, which will be held on April 2, 2019 at the Knutsford Academy. A total of £5,000 is needed to fund this event, and to donate visit heartstartknutsford.co.uk