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Community Link Foundation was delighted to support Vital Signs Foundation to put on a heart screening event at the weekend.
The event was held at Southport College on Saturday, March 5 and just over 100 people aged between 15 and 35 attended.
The attendees were screened with a simple ECG procedure, in partnership with the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, that can detect previously undetected heart conditions.
Vital Signs Foundation applied to Community Link Foundation for a grant at the end of last year so that they could put on the event that anyone within the specified age group could sign up to attend.
Dan Brown, who lives in Ainsdale, was one of the first people to be screened at the event.
Dan said: “I am a big sports fan and you hear about heart problems with sports men and women who are otherwise fit and healthy but just haven’t known that they had a heart condition. So, I felt it was important to go along and get checked out. You just might not know that there is a problem and I’ve got two children so I want to make sure that my health is OK for their benefit too. I’m really pleased that I went along.”
Vital Signs Foundation was set up by Steve Haw, after his son, Chris Haw, tragically died at the age of 25. He was a fit and healthy young man but he had an undiagnosed heart condition. Steve started the charity following Chris’ death, to offer heart screening to people aged between 15 and 35 for undiagnosed heart conditions.
David Barron, chairman of Community Link Foundation, said: “We were pleased to help put on this screening event as a simple procedure can detect a problem that if left undetected could prove fatal. We are always keen to help local organisations and if anyone is looking for funding then all the criteria on how to apply, can be found on our website.”
As well as delivering the heart screenings, attendees were also given training and familiarisation in CPR and how to use a defibrillator.
If you would like more information on how to apply for a grant from Community Link Foundation, please email nkenyon@clfoundation.co.uk or go to www.clfoundation.co.uk.
Pictured: Dan Brown
Pictured left to right: Sharon Twist, Patrick Shaughnessy, Tony Bennett (VSF Trustee), Ashleigh Leggett, Laura Keir.