Jaw-dropping £6573 fundraised for heart charity after Macclesfield mum's marathon
By Alex Greensmith
9th May 2024 | Local News
A Macclesfield woman has raised a stunning amount of money for charity.
Louise Jennings, ran the London Marathon, and raised £6573 for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
The charity aims to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research, and supporting affected families.
Louise ran in memory of her late daughter Mia, who passed away from a cardiac event in January 2023.
Since then, Louise and her family have done countless fundraisers for the charity, with this latest London Marathon fundraiser being one of the highest yet.
Macclesfield Nub News met with Louise to find out how the race went.
"The race was such an amazing experience", said Louise.
"I was really, really lucky to take part.
"I ran with Katie Harrop, Mia's old boss at Macclesfield Leisure Centre. And we ran the whole 26.2 miles together, and helped push one another.
"Before we started fundraising for CRY, I ran the London Marathon once before for East Cheshire Hospice, but I was on my own, it was great to have Katie there for support, and to help keep each other going."
From seeing a marathon runner carrying a fridge, to conversing with the 109 other fundraisers for CRY, it was an action-packed day for the Broken Cross mum, hair and fitness professional. Louise even saw a marathon runner propose to his girlfriend, along the iconic route.
"Seeing everyone's messages was so moving," told Louise.
"Thank you so, so much for your support.
"If we can just save one family from having to go what we had to through, it really means so much to us.
"Thank you to everyone in Macclesfield and beyond for your support, and raising awareness."
Before the Marathon fundraiser, Louise and her family had fundraised over £50,000 for the charity since their daughter Mia, passed away in January 2023.
With the addition of this £6573, that now takes the grand total for CRY to almost £60,000. A figure that is getting so large it is hard for the family to count!
Louise and Mia's father James have co-organised an upcoming screening at AstraZeneca Macclesfield, where both young employees and members of the community will get their hearts checked.
Two days of screening will take place at the Hulley Road super-employer this weekend, along with a cake sale.
"I think I will do a fundraising bike ride later in the year", added Louise.
"We want to keep getting the awareness out there, and keep getting the screenings done.
"I would like to also say one final thank you to Katie for being my running buddy. It was a hard day for both of us. It was so nice to have her support there, and enjoy the atmosphere together. It was an incredible day for an incredible cause."
And it is not too late to donate to Louise's fundraiser. You can do so via this link. If you count GiftAid, Louise raised a further £1506.
Everybody Health and Leisure's Katie Harrop added: "The London Marathon was an amazing experience I was lucky enough to be apart of."
"Louise and I had done some of our long training runs together and it was lovely to run the full race with one another on the day. Mia was certainly with us every step of the way keeping us going!"
Dr Steven Cox is Chief Executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young.
"Earlier this year, I was honoured to be asked to provide a quote wishing Louise Jennings luck as she prepared to take on the enormous challenge of running the London Marathon, to raise funds for CRY, in memory of her daughter, Mia – who died suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition, aged just 19," said Dr Cox.
"So now, it gives me even greater pleasure to publicly thank Louise for successfully taking part in and completing this epic race and raising over £6,500, which is just incredible! In fact, out of 118 runners who ran for CRY this year, Louise was amongst our top individual fundraisers and we are so grateful for her efforts and support from the local community.
"Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young (aged 35 and under) people in the UK die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
"In 80% of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms of a heart defect until it is too late, which is why CRY believes screening is so vitally important (particularly for those involved in regular, physical activity).
"As such, CRY now tests around 27,000 young people each year, aged between 14 and 35.
"As CRY receives no government funding, our UK-wide screening programme is only possible because of the backing CRY receives from families (such as Louise, James and all Mia's amazing family and friends) to help us provide this service free to the public.
"Since 1995 when CRY was first established, we really have had such incredible support from those who've been affected by the young sudden cardiac death.
"And, here at CRY, we all find it so humbling that despite their own experience, bereaved families find the strength to see through their grief and feel able to give back to charitable organisations through raising funds and awareness – often with the common goal of wanting to prevent other families from having to face the same tragic circumstances as they have."
Dr Cox concludes; "In addition to our pioneering screening programme, CRY also funds a world-renowned research centre in London and a unique, nationwide Bereavement Support network."
Macclesfield: For more information about CRY's services please go to; www.c-r-y.org.uk.
While this weekend's Hurdsfield screening day is full, to to register interest for another cardiac screening near you, visit; www.testmyheart.org.uk.
Once again, you can donate to Louise's crowdfunder HERE.
Macclesfield Nub News first reported on Louise's marathon back in February. Please click HERE to read that article.
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