Heart screening dates unveiled for Crewe and Nantwich teenagers

Dates for life-saving heart screenings of Crewe and Nantwich youngsters have been released.

The family of tragic Nantwich teenager Matthew Dewhirst (pictured) organised the screenings to prevent other young sportsmen and women dying of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS).

The 17-year-old, who lived in Nantwich and Crewe, collapsed and died during a rugby training session.

His mum Sue Dewhirst set up the “CRY for Matthew Appeal” in his name, to prevent more cases by holding four local screenings each year.

And now the first dates for the Crewe and Nantwich screenings are have been set for November.

The first is on November 7 at Crewe Alexandra FC’s stadium on Gresty Road, the second is on November 8 at Nantwich Swimming Pool on Wall Lane, Nantwich.

Youngsters can book themselves on to one of the dates by visiting www.testmyheart.org and scrolling down the list of dates to November 7 and 8.

“People just have to click on ‘Places Available’,” said Sue.

“Once they do this they will be taken to a booking calendar, they just choose a time, fill in their details and click book.”

Family friend Stuart Barley is cycling from Mold Alex FC to Crewe Alex FC on Saturday September 13 to help with a bucket collection at Gresty Road.

He is being sponsored for the “CRY for Matthew” campaign to raise funds for further screenings in South Cheshire.

Screening of 215 youngsters took place in Shropshire earlier this year, and two were found to have a threatening heart defect now being treated by specialists.

Sue added: “It is completely unobtrusive so won’t hurt at all.

“The cost will be free but all we ask is if you can afford to donate that you do so that we can continue to fund this programme in the counties for years to come.”

Matthew, who played football in Crewe & Nantwich and rugby in Whitchurch, was a massive Crewe Alexandra fan and had just seen them triumph in the Wembley play-off finals a few weeks before his death.

“Now our aim, and the legacy we are trying to set up in Matthew’s name, is that his appeal fund provides a minimum of four days of heart screening every year, so that 400 young people can be assessed to ensure they are fit and healthy to play sport.”

Steve Davis, manager of Crewe Alexandra, is Patron for the “C.R.Y for Matthew Appeal” and there will be a bucket collection on September 13 when Crewe take on Port Vale at home.