Macclesfield man running first London Marathon for Cardiac Risk in the Young
A Macclesfield man is to run his first London Marathon after the 13th time of trying.
Ian Heslop, who works at The Corner Plot on Park Lane, will take on the 26.2 mile race on 23 April 2023.
He is raising money for Cardiac Risk in the Young, after a Macclesfield teenager passed away from a cardiac arrest earlier this year.
Mia Jennings, who was just 19, passed away from a cardiac arrest in January.
Mia was a family friend of Ian's family, so he has decided to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young in her memory.
Mia shared a similar appetite for exercise, as she was known across town as a kind and caring swimming teacher at Macclesfield Leisure Centre.
Ian has raised £31 online so far for the national charity, but you can also donate cash in person at The Corner Plot grocery shop in Macclesfield.
Cash is the better way to raise money - as unlike JustGiving - 100% of the monies raised will go to the good cause.
"I was lucky to get picked in the ballot for the first time, having first tried in 2011", said Ian.
"I wasn't going to run for any charity, but after what happened to Mia I decided I was going to run for Cardiac Risk in the Young.
"I've done a few half-marathons and The Great South Run every year [ten miles] but this is my first full marathon of and kind.
"I do the Manchester 10K every May as well, and will be doing so again this year.
"My dad has done the London Marathon before so it is great to finally get to do it myself.
"To those who donate, thank you very much. I had never heard of Cardiac Risk of the Young until this year.
"It feels good to support a smaller charity, and support something closer to home because of what happened to Mia."
Macclesfield: You can donate to the fundraiser HERE.
Dr Steven Cox, Chief Executive of CRY added "On behalf of all of us at CRY, I'd like to say a huge thank you to Ian for taking on the huge challenge of the London Marathon, and in doing so, raising funds for CRY."
"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. Currently, we're testing around 32,000 young people each year, aged between 14 and 35 and thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of families, communities, local businesses and friends, we're able to offer this at no cost to the individual when they sign up.
"We also know that research saves lives too, so it's vital that we can maintain our internationally acclaimed programme and continue training a new generation of cardiologists who specialise in detecting and treating the condition that can cause a sudden cardiac arrest in a young person.
"And, at CRY we also offer a unique bereavement support programme for families and partners affected by the trauma of a young, sudden cardiac death.
"But none of this would be possible without the wonderful fundraising efforts of people such as Ian.
"So, thank you again for running for CRY and in memory of Mia."
Macclesfield: For more information go to www.c-r-y.org.uk To register interest in a screening go to: www.testmyheart.org.uk.
You can also learn more about Mia and Cardiac Risk in the Young on this link.
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