Ovenu franchisee Ryan Griffiths aims to raise awareness and money in memory of sister Kayleigh

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Ryan Griffiths of oven valeting service Ovenu Chelmsford is taking part in the 16th annual Heart of London Bridges Walk on Sunday (26th June) in memory of his sister Kayleigh who died five years ago due to an undiagnosed heart condition.

He will be joined by family and friends in the event organised by national charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which raises awareness of potentially life-threatening cardiac abnormalities in young people.

KayleighGriffiths

Kayleigh Griffiths, who died at the age of 23 from an undiagnosed heart condition while on holiday in Spain.

Kayleigh, from Witham, Essex, was apparently fit and healthy when she collapsed by the pool in July 2017 while on holiday in Malaga, Spain. The 23-year-old suffered two heart attacks within minutes and doctors were unable to save her. A post-mortem revealed she had an undiagnosed heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The Kayleigh Memorial Fund set up by her parents Leon and Wendy has since raised more than £40,000, whilst Ryan is also raising awareness among his clients and is inviting them to sponsor him.

Ryan said: “It’s the fifth anniversary of losing Kayleigh and so it would be fitting to make a special fundraising effort this year.

“I’m taking part in the Heart of London Bridges Walk with family and friends and it would be fantastic if more people, particularly those who knew Kayleigh, could join us or offer their support through sponsorship.

“It’s really important to identify those young people at risk from cardiac abnormalities and fund the vital research that could prevent another tragedy.”

The walk, a 5.5 mile route through central London concludes with a family picnic, entertainment, games, and food stalls.

The memorial fund has previously supplied a defibrillator for Witham Town FC as well as paying for a heart screening session held at the club. Kayleigh, who was a keen footballer growing up, played for both Witham Town Ladies and Silver End Girls. One of its defibrillators was recently used to save a life

Chief Executive of the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) Dr Steven Cox said: “On behalf of all of us at CRY, I would like to say a huge “thank you” to Ryan for signing up to our Heart of London Bridges Walk and for everything he’s doing to raise funds and awareness in memory of his sister, Kayleigh.

“I always find it so humbling that despite their own experience, bereaved families feel able to support us – often driven by the will to prevent other parents, siblings, partners and friends from having to endure the same devastating grief as they have.

“Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young (aged 35 and under) people in the UK die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. In 80% of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms of a heart defect until it is too late, which is why CRY believes screening is so vitally important.

“CRY now tests over 30,000 young people each year, aged between 14 and 35 – and research shows that one in every 300 people we screen will be identified with a potentially life- threatening condition. In addition to our pioneering screening programme, CRY also funds a world-renowned research centre and a unique Bereavement Support network.”

Ovenu Chelmsford also covers Maldon, Witham, Dunmow, Danbury, Ingatestone, Stock, The Notleys, Tiptree, Tothams, South Woodham Ferres, Wickham Bishops, Burnham-on-Crouch and many surrounding villages and areas in between.

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF OVENU

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