Father Pledges to Row Across the Atlantic in Memory of Beloved Daughter and Raise Funds for Cardiac Charity, CRY
27 October 2022, Rutland Andrew Osborne, a 56-year-old Leicestershire-based businessman, has committed to rowing unsupported across the Atlantic in honour of his late daughter, Amy, who died aged 25 years-old from an undiagnosed heart condition, to raise funds for the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), which offers lifesaving screenings to over 30,000 young people (aged 35 and under) a year.
As part of this, HR, payroll and finance specialists, MHR, have pledged a contribution of £40,000 towards Mr Osborne's heroic fundraising efforts for the charity and are also providing resources, such as social media, PR and event support throughout the 'Row for Amy' campaign. The HR, payroll and finance specialists will also be sending volunteers to schools in Rutland, Nottingham and Leicestershire to raise awareness of CRY and cardiac conditions affecting young people.
As a Leicestershire resident with a sailing background, Mr Osborne's unsupported and solo row of over 3,000 miles will be an extremely significant mental and physical challenge lasting over 70 days at sea. However, this is not the first time that the Osborne family have raised money for CRY.
Amy's two sisters have helped raised enough funds to facilitate five screening days leading to 501 young people being tested. In addition, money has been released from Amy's memorial fund for CRY's research program.
Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people in the UK die suddenly from an undiagnosed heart defect. In 80% of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms until it is too late, which is why CRY believes screening is so vitally important, particularly for those involved in regular physical activity. CRY now tests around 32,000 young people each year, aged between 14 and 35, with over 225,000 people being screened since the programme launched in 1995. With a backlog of testing due to lockdown restrictions imposed by the Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that CRY's screening efforts are supported.
With one in every 300 young people that CRY tests being identified with a potentially life-threatening condition, MHR's support of this fundraising effort and continued work with the charity will ensure that individuals receive free lifesaving screenings through CRY, while further research can be done into cardiac diseases impacting young people. A day of CRY screening costs £6,000, and so the money raised by 'Row for Amy' will significantly help with the screening costs.
Jessica Mills, Chairman at MHR comments, "The combined efforts of MHR and the other sponsor, Delancey, will raise key funds and awareness for Mr Osborne's efforts and the fantastic work done by CRY. With Mr Osborne's ties to the Rutland area, MHR feels very close to the cause as an East Midlands-based business, and we are proud to be able to contribute to such a valiant fundraising activity. At MHR, we place people at the core of what we do, and this includes working with our local community and with charities to create a better world. We are delighted to be working with Mr Osborne and CRY on such a vital cause in memory of his young daughter."
Andrew Osborne notes, "When Amy died it was devastating for our family and friends around her, especially as there were no warning signs. She was young and healthy and her death was completely unexpected. During that time, and since, we have received incredible support from our friends, family, community, and CRY. Through their support, we learnt more about their vital work and wanted to do more to not onlyfundraise to save more young people's lives but also to bring awareness of this tragic condition that can be prevented if tested.
"We set up Amy's memorial fund within the CRY charity and raised enough to test over 500 children so far. I would now like to be able to raise funds to increase the number of young adults screened substantially and to help with awareness and research into the condition. Rowing alone for 3000 miles with 3 miles of the Atlantic below me and the nearest person to me being on the international space station, it's a daunting prospect but I'm excited to get rowing for CRY and for my daughter Amy. I am extremely grateful for the support of MHR and Delancey in this project."
Dr Steven Cox, Chief Executive of CRY says; "The preventable deaths of young people who die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition are at the core of why CRY believes screening is so important. We believe the government needs to radically re-think its approach to specialist cardiac screening in the UK and we are committed to continuing our campaign to make this change.
"In simple terms, CRY wants every young person to have the choice to have their heart tested. As we receive no government funding, our UK-wide screening programme is only possible because of the incredible support we receive from communities throughout the UK to provide this free service to the public.
"We have always had inspiring support from families- such as Amy's family - who've been affected by sudden cardiac death, and I always find it so humbling that despite their own experience, bereaved families feel able to support us through amazing awareness-raising efforts and fundraising challenges such as the rowing event which Amy's dad, Andrew Osborne has pledged to take part in, with the generous support of MHR.
"Anyone interested in booking a free screening or finding out more details about an upcoming local event, can do so at www.testmyheart.org.uk"
To support the Row for Amy endeavour, please donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rowforamy
All funds raised by the Atlantic row will be donated to CRY. Visit: https://www.rowforamy.com/
ENDS
About MHR
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About CRY
- CRY was founded in May 1995. As well as campaigning and lobbying and the provision of its subsidised cardiac screening programme for young people (35 and under), the charity also provides a unique bereavement support network.
- The CRY screening team tests elite Olympic athletes, as well as working with a number of professional sporting bodies including the English Institute of Sport, the RFU, RFL, LTA, SKY Cycling, the FA and The English Cricket Board.
- CRY works closely with MPs to improve awareness of sudden cardiac death in young people, leading to CRY's All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)
- Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD) is an umbrella term for several different heart conditions that affect fit and healthy people which, if not treated can result in sudden death
- CRY's myheart network offers help, support and information to young people who are coping with a diagnosis of a heart condition. www.myheart.org.uk
- Now, anyone between the age of 14 and 35 can book an appointment online and register to have a free cardiac investigation overseen by a specialist. As CRY receives no government funding this is only possible because of the incredible support CRY receives from communities throughout the UK to provide this free service to the public. www.testmyheart.org.uk The programme (supervised by Professor Sanjay Sharma, the leading Sports Cardiologist in the UK and one of the leading experts in YSCD and inherited heart conditions worldwide) continues to grow annually.
Last updated 20:47 on 5 November 2022