Tonbridge Angels' show their heart to screen local schoolchildren through their Football Fightback initiative

Upwards of 100 young people who attend Hugh Christie Technology College in Tonbridge will take part in a heart screening session on 8th November that will be facilitated by the charity C-R-Y Cardiac Risk in the Young that works to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research.

The costs for the screening have been raised through Tonbridge Angels’ Football Fightback initiative.

Following the sudden and tragic deaths of two of the club's young players, members vowed that they would do everything possible to prevent similar tragedies occurring in the future. 

Angels chairman, Steve Churcher explains: "When these tragedies happened we could have grieved and simply left it at that.  With 12 young people in the UK dying each week through undetected heart issues the club decided enough was enough, and so Football Fightback was born.  

“Supporters and others associated with the club, including Roger Maddams, a father of one of those players who passed away, have worked extremely hard to raise £30,000 through various fund raising efforts.  

“We are now seeing the fruits of everyone's labours with over 700 young people including the Hugh Christie event having now received screening.  I think that for a modest non-league club such as ours this is a fantastic achievement."

A further screening for 200 young people is being arranged for Longmead Stadium in February of next year.  

Details of how to book a place at any of C-R-Y's screenings can be obtained by going to their website http://www.c-r-y.org.uk.

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk