Kent cricketers past and present will be playing for a good cause in September for a day of charity fundraising and awareness event on Saturday 10 September at Eltham College.
Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and the Ben Daniels Memorial Fund (BDMF) are hosting a family fun day spearheaded by Kent cricketers Calum Haggett and Ivan Thomas who have both been affected by sudden heart conditions.
In 2010, Calum was identified with a potentially fatal heart condition during a routine screening but was successfully treated and is now back in the game. However, tragically, in 2012, one of Ivan’s friends and teammates at university, Tom Hardman, died in his sleep from an undiagnosed heart condition aged 21.
The duo were approached by Paul Daniels, who lost his son Ben to an undiagnosed heart condition in March 2011. Ben Daniels tragically whilst playing football, aged just 15. Ben was a very talented sportsman and played for Old Elthamians Cricket Club (OECC).
Every week, 12 “apparently” fit and healthy young (aged 35 and under) people in the UK die froma previously undiagnosed heart condition. In 80% of cases, there will have been no signs of symptoms, which is why CRY believes proactive screenings is so vitally important – now testing over 23,000 young people every year. Sport itself does not cause young sudden cardiac death but it can exacerbate an underlying condition, if not identified.
The teams will feature former Kent and England batsman and CRY Patron Rob Key, now a Sky Sports TV pundit, alongside internationals Sam Billings and James Tredwell and of course Calum and Ivan.
The free event on Saturday 10 September will also feature stalls, refreshments and a post-match dinner at Eltham College including celebrity speakers and a sports memorabilia auction.
The Ben Daniels Memorial Fund has raised almost £150,000 to support CRY and screening. As a result of Paul’s efforts, around 1,500 local, young people have been tested over the past five years, in memory of Ben – a figure that is set to grow, due to the volume of screenings due to be funded by the BDMF and collaborations with a range of sports clubs across Kent and the South East.
Paul Daniels says; “Cricket was such an important part of Ben’s life, it feels so fitting for us as a family to be joining forces with CRY and Kent County Cricket Club to stage this event in his memory.
“It’s only by working together with schools and sporting groups in our area that we can really spread the word about CRY and its ongoing mission to prevent these tragic – and often preventable – deaths in young people.
“The support we have from businesses, schools, organisations and individuals is phenomenal and helps us to create a special tribute to Ben. I know he would be proud of everything we are achieving.”
Guy Sanderson, Headmaster at Eltham College, adds: “We are delighted to be working alongside OECC, Kent County Cricket Club and CRY on this event and are all committed to doing everything we can to help raise awareness of the importance of cardiac screening in young people – as well as raising vital funds for the charity.
“We have a great network of parents, pupils and links to our local community, so I’m confident that by hosting this exciting event we can play a part in helping increase awareness by reaching out to other young people across the area as well as the wider cricketing community.”
CRY has an established heritage of working closely with the world of cricket and currently has the support of three great names from the games who are all Patrons of the charity; Sir Ian Botham, Joe Root and Rob Key. CRY’s screening team also delivers regular testing to a number of County Cricket Clubs – a scheme that is due to grow and develop across England.
Chief Executive of CRY, Dr Steve Cox, concludes: “Paul’s fundraising support and ongoing awareness work for CRY has been absolutely tremendous and his efforts have helped to fund the screening of hundreds of local people through Ben’s Fund.
“We have just marked CRY’s 20th anniversary and the ongoing support, dedication and commitment of our families over the past two decades has been astounding. It is wonderful to see Paul working closely with others supporters who have got right behind our cause. On behalf of CRY, I would like to thank everyone who is taking part and we really hope everyone has a great day!”
At the time of issuing the press notice, the confirmed teams are as follows:
Possible Kent XI: Daniel Bell-Drummond, Tammy Beaumont, Joe Denly; Alex Blake; Darren Stevens; Sam Billings, Calum Haggett, James Tredwell, Mitch Claydon, David Griffiths, Ivan Thomas.
Invitational XI: Rob Key; Simon Jones; Geraint Jones; Steve Harmison; Ben Harmison; Kate Cross; Joe Leach; Luis Reece; Ben Slater; Invitational spot; Auction spot