A FAMILY from Helmsley joined other bereaved families walking in memory of lost loved ones.

Ben Scott and his family from the Ryedale town recently took on the 12th annual Heart of Durham Walk, organised by leading heart charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Walking together under the new campaign name for 2021; #MyWalkForCRY, supporters took an 8km circular route, starting and finishing at Durham Amateur Rowing Club.

Ben and his family first became involved with CRY following the tragic death of his brother Mike Scott, who was just 17 when he sadly passed away from a previously undiagnosed heart condition – arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) – in 1996. The Scott family and friends have taken part in the Durham Walk many times over the past several years to raise funds and awareness for CRY.

Ben said: “We took part in the Durham Walk once again because CRY is a fantastic charity. It is great for our family to take part, raise awareness and fund important research to avoid future tragedies for other local families.”

Every week in the UK, at least 12 young people aged 35 and under die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

Dr Steven Cox, Chief Executive of CRY, said: “It really was wonderful to be back in Durham as our programme of events starts to resume following such a difficult and challenging 18 months for CRY – and charities all over.

“CRY has a long and positive heritage with the people of Durham and the North East and it therefore felt ‘right’ to have returned in Autumn 2021, holding this safe, and well-established outdoor event that brought bereaved families together – many of whom may not have met up since we were last here in October 2019.

“On behalf of everyone at CRY, I would like to thank Ben and his family for taking part in this year’s event and playing such a key role in helping to heighten awareness of the work we are doing to prevent the tragedy of sudden cardiac deaths in young people. By coming together at events such as this, we can make an important difference.”