2010 Varsity Charity: CRY

Published on 8^th February 2010 in Varsity.

The charity chosen to benefit from the 2010 Varsity series is CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). AU officer, Alex Hingley, explains that the charity has been chosen because “it is close to the hearts of those at the University”. Neil Desai, a talented sportsman and first class Law student from The University of Nottingham, died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition on 5th September 2008 – his 22nd birthday. CRY has been chosen in his memory.

CRY’s vision is “to work with cardiologists and family doctors to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young by establishing good practice and screening facilities devoted to significantly reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death throughout the UK.” The money raised from ticket sales will help CRY to raise awareness of cardiac conditions in the young and to support the charity’s work in preventing more untimely and tragic deaths.

During the 2009 Varsity series ticket sales raised £9,017 was raised for local charity, Balls to Poverty. However with more events planned it is expected that the 2010 total will be even bigger. Hingley explains that in an effort to increase the money raised “Varsity teams will be visiting local schools and encouraging local residents to attend the matches as well as students”.

Rachel Lee