It can be hard to believe that a young person who appears fit and healthy may be at risk from heart problems. However, every week in the UK, at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people aged 35 and under die from undiagnosed heart conditions.

On Saturday, August 20, Shauna Mason is arranging a Charity Summer Ball in aid of CRY. Shauna and her family have been raising money and awareness of CRY since her husband, Dean Mason, died suddenly of an undetected heart condition in June 2010, aged 26.

Any funds raised from the Charity Summer Ball will go towards a screening weekend for young people between the ages of 14 and 35. Screening involves a simple ECG. Some individuals then require a further test, which is an echocardiogram (ECHO). The screening events are held over a weekend in Whitland Secondary School. CRY provide a dedicated team of professionals and the relevant equipment to enable the screening to take place. Each weekend event costs £7,000 but enables up to 200 young people to be screened.

In January 2016, the Masons funded a full mobile screening unit for CRY of three ECG machines, an echocardiogram and a van to transport them. This in addition to having already funded screening for over 600 young people in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire since 2013, with another weekend booked next year.

Each screening has been extremely successful and a couple of young people have been diagnosed with heart defects through these, and because of this they have had to have surgery or regular check-ups.

The Charity Summer Ball is being staged at Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth, on Saturday, August 20, 7 pm to late. Tickets are £35 per head. There is a three-course meal and live band ‘The Shuffle’. For tickets, call Shauna on 01834 831893 or 07970249454.