Charity ambassadors, Calum Haggett and Ivan Thomas of Kent County Cricket Club will be “fielding support” for an important local sporting event this weekend in Chislehurst; “Why Not Run” 2019.

The multi-terrain cross-country event takes place on Sunday 12 May in the grounds of Farringtons School and will be raising funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) via the locally based and well-known Ben Daniels Memorial Fund (BDMF).

As in previous years, monies raised on the day will go towards specialist cardiac screening for young people in the local area aged between 14 and 35* – a cause that is close to the hearts of both Calum and Ivan who were officially named as Ambassadors of CRY in November last year.

In 2010, Calum was identified with a potentially fatal heart condition during a routine screening but was successfully treated and soon returned to the game. However tragically, in 2012, one of Ivan’s friends and cricket teammates at university, Tom Hardman, died in his sleep from an undiagnosed heart condition, aged just 21.

The duo were first approached to become involved with CRY by Paul Daniels (from Bickley) – who is a keen supporter of Kent Crixket and has also been part of the Why Not Run initative for the past 5 years. Both Calum and Ivan will be presenting prizes to race winners on Sunday.

Paul lost his son Ben to an undiagnosed heart condition in March 2011. Ben Daniels tragically died whilst playing football, aged just 15. He was a very talented sportsman and played for Old Elthamians Cricket Club (OECC). Thanks to Paul’s ongoing involvement with Kent Cricket, CRY was selected as the Club’s 2018 “Charity of the Year”.

Every week, 12 “apparently” fit and healthy young (aged 35 and under) people in the UK die from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. In 80% of cases, there will have been no signs of symptoms, which is why CRY believes proactive screening is so vitally important – now testing over 30,000 young people every year. Sport itself does not cause young sudden cardiac death but it can exacerbate an underlying condition, if not identified.

* All race participants within this age bracket will receive priority booking for these screenings.

Calum comments; “It was a great privilege to have been made a CRY ambassador – and now, to be asked to attend the Why Not Run 2019 event this weekend, alongside Ivan, to present the prizes. The work which CRY and the Ben Daniels Memorial Fund does is so important. It really does save lives.”

The impact of the fundraising carried out by supporters of the Ben Daniels Memorial Fund across the South East – not least the Why Not Run team – has been incredible with over £215,000 raised to date, resulting in the testing of over 3,000 local young people and with 7 further sessions already booked in with CRY!

Now in its 8th year, Why Not Run is a charity fun run for all the family, raising money for local children’s and young people’s charities. Set up by the Head of Junior PE at Farringtons School, Lavinia Long, the day offers a range of running events and distances for all ages and abilities – and has rasied almost £56,000, so far…

As in previous years, the day will feature 1km, 2km and 5km Fun Runs – plus an 18 and under “2km Pairs Relay”. Fancy dress will again play a big part in the day, undepinnung the ethos of the day that it is all about the taking part than the winning!

Event Organiser, Jackie Baker, says; “It’s amazing to think that we’re marking our 8th year of hosting Why Not Run – and every year, we continue to be overwhelmed by the incredible support shown by friends and family of Farringtons School as well as the wider local community. We all have such a shared interest in raising awareness of the importance of cardiac screening for young people and the overall work of CRY to help prevent these devastating deaths.”

Paul Daniels adds; “`Having just completed the London Marathon for the 2nd time, in memory of my son Ben, I’ve become a huge advocate of the benefits that running can bring, But, it doesn’t have to be anything as daunting as 26 miies to ‘get the bug’ and that’s the joy of Why Not Run – it’s so inclusive and there really is something for everyone, of ages and abilities.

“It’s also wonderful to be welcoming Calum and Ivan to the event for the first time. They are both loyal and inspiring Ambassadors for CRY and important supporters of Ben’s Memorial Fund, which means a great deal to us a family.”

An ECG (electrocardiogram) test is a simple way to identify the vast majority of abnormalities that

can cause sudden deaths in young people. The test is quick, non-invasive and, if necessary, a further echocardiogram (ultrasound scan of the heart) can be taken on the same day as a CRY screening to provide further clarity or reassurance.

Chief Executive of CRY, Dr Steven Cox, says; “8 years is an incredible achievement for Paul and everyone who works so hard behind the scenes at Why Not Run. So, once again, one behalf of CRY, I would like to thank everyone who is taking part this year and we really hope everyone has a fun and memorable day!”

To find out more about signing up for Why Not Run and to download the new registration form for 2019 please visit: www.whynotrun.co.uk / www.farringtons.org.uk/whynotrun or email: [email protected].

Entry Fees: Pre-registration: £5 for the 1km and 2km races and £10 for the 5km race and Pairs Relay (per team)

On the Day Entry: £10 for the 1km and 2km races and £15 for the 5km races and Pairs Relay (per team)

 

Why Not Run 2019: Event Information

Venue: Farringtons School, Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent. BR7 6LR

09:30 Grounds open

10:00 2km race for children in School Years 3 and 4

10:30 2km race for children in School Years 5 and 6

11:00 1km race for children in School Year 2 and below

Presentation of prizes for the 1km and 2km races

11:45 2km Pairs Relay race for those aged 18 and under

12.30 5km race for Adults (Year 7 and above may enter this race)

Presentation of prizes for the relay and 5km race.

All competitors will receive a medal

Trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place males and females in all age categories

Refreshments and food will be available to purchase throughout the event and there will be stalls to browse, as well as entertainment for the children.