Daniel Hughes Heart Screening Fund
1252. Sue Hughes
1253. David Hughes
Sue and David Hughes, from Stoke on Trent, have raised over £230,000 for ‘Cardiac Risk in the Young’ and have arranged over 1,700 vital heart screenings for young adults in memory of their son Daniel, who died aged 28 from an undetected heart condition.
With their daughter Kim, Sue and David initially set out to provide a minimum of 200 local young people in the West Midlands with access to annual heart screenings. After their fundraising exceeded expectations, they have continued their campaign, as well as opening a memorial garden to Daniel at Audley Football Club where he used to play.
In a personal letter to Sue and David, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of how you have raised over £230,000 for ‘Cardiac Risk in the Young’ and arranged over 1,700 vital heart screenings in memory of your son Daniel.”
Sue and David said:
“We are very pleased, honoured and surprised to be receiving a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister for the work we have been doing for ‘Cardiac Risk in the Young’ since the death of our son Daniel. Hopefully it will encourage people to take a look at the important work that CRY does in reducing Young Sudden Cardiac Death. Thank you to the Prime Minister and everyone concerned for this award.”
Dr Steven Cox, Chief Executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young, added:
“It’s inspiring to look back at everything David and Sue have achieved so far in memory of their son, Daniel. They have raised a huge amount of awareness of young sudden cardiac death and their fundraising efforts have enabled many young people to be treated, having been identified with potentially life-threatening conditions.
“I’d also like to extend our thanks and admiration to all of their friends, relatives and entire local community, for all they continue to do in their determination to stop other families from experiencing the same devastating grief as David and Sue have endured.
“We are so proud of all the families associated with CRY and this is now the fourth time that a family affected by a young sudden cardiac death has been awarded a prestigious Points of Light award. We are all very pleased to see David and Sue deservedly recognised in this way, for their incredible commitment to CRY and saving young lives.”