A group of 9 Cardiff Blues supporters will be cycling from Caernarfon Castle to Cardiff Castle to raise money for Blues nominated charity CRY
The journey starts on Friday the 3rd of May and will finish on Monday the 6th of May with the aim of raising £2,000 for CRY.
The group of fans wanted to do a big ride for charity, and with one of their number having survived emergency open heart surgery at UHW, it felt fitting to support CRY.
In 2008, at the age of 22, Jilly Snell had a mechanical heart valve fitted following a heart attack. Jilly had no idea about her rare life-threatening condition but is now much healthier than she has ever been, running 5k Park Runs most weekends and out cycling any chance she gets.
Jilly’s family friend Tom Beard, a healthy and incredibly active young man in his 20s, wasn't so lucky. He shockingly passed away from Sudden Cardiac Death last year, with no idea that he had a heart problem.
Speaking of the ride Jilly said,
“CRY do fantastic work screening the hearts of young people countrywide, preventing sudden cardiac death from conditions they usually have no prior knowledge of.
“If there had been more widely available screening sessions five years ago then maybe they would have been able to diagnose my condition sooner. They may have even saved Tom’s life.
“The charity also provide a young persons network for those newly diagnosed, counseling and offering support for those who have lost a loved one.
“CRY also promote the newest research developments including providing a pathology service.
“We're raising money for more cardiac screening sessions in Wales so please lend us your support!
“It'll be a fantastic cycle and time well spent with friends... but it's also a great way to raise money for CRY, a charity close to my heart.”
Jilly’s fundraising website is: http://www.justgiving.com/Caernarfon-to-Cardiff