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25 June 2019
A Monmouth student has launched a campaign to fund a heart screening day for around 100 young people in the town next summer.
Seventeen-year-old Elinor Hart has set up Hartbeat after being inspired by her cousin Frank Arentz, a fellow Monmouth pupil, who was diagnosed with a heart condition.
“Frank’s diagnosis, although devastating, has potentially saved his life,” said Elinor, a Sixth Form student at Monmouth School for Girls.
“Frank is now 18 years old and has had a defibrillator fitted in his chest, which means he has been able to continue his love of sport.”
Elinor and her friends Maddie Taylor, Scarlett Sarsby, Ellie Horton, Myfanwy Fleming-Jones and Catrin Jones will be taking part in the Forest of Dean Half Marathon on 29th September.
She has already organised a fund-raising netball game between Monmouth School for Girls’ first team and Year 13 pupils at Monmouth School for Boys, including Frank.
“The boys hit back after a slow start in the netball before the girls prevailed to achieve a 12-9 win,” said Elinor.
“The event had a great atmosphere, raised £150 for the Hartbeat campaign and it was great to play netball against Frank.”
Frank’s condition was discovered during a screening, run by the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity and paid for by a memorial fund.
Now Elinor is aiming to raise £5,000 to hold a similar screening event, hosted by CRY, in Monmouth.
CRY was established in 1995 to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research; and to support affected families.
Twelve young people in the United Kingdom die from an undiagnosed heart condition every week, according to the latest figures.
“CRY is a vital charity, especially to sporty youngsters,” said Elinor.
“I would like to extend the Dean Mason Memorial Fund’s kindness and pay for an event in Monmouth next summer.
“I need to raise at least £5,000 to host one day’s screening, when 100 youngsters can get checked.”
To support Elinor’s efforts, please visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=ElinorHart&pageUrl=1
