Free heart screening for young in memory of Alex

Kiveton Park Surgery was the venue for 200 young people to have ECG (electrocardiogram) tests on Saturday and Sunday.

The fully-booked session was in memory of GP’s daughter Alex Reid, who died aged 16 in 2012 — the night before sitting her final GCSE exam — from a previously undiagnosed condition.

Heart charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) said 12 apparently fit and healthy young people died each week in the UK from unsuspected heart conditions.

So far, a memorial fund for Alex, described by her mum Heather as “such a vibrant, happy young person”, has raised £70,000, with the money going towards heart screening, research and raise awareness raising of young sudden cardiac death.

“Our screening weekends always seem to be joyous occasions, our team are wonderful people and we feel we are helping in some small way,” said Mrs Reid.

Anyone aged between the age of 14 and 35 can register to have a free cardiac screening at venue local to them by simply logging onto www.testmyheart.org.