17 November 2015

Irish head coach Joe Schmidt helped to raise over €15,500 for CRY last week when he shared his fascinating and inspiring insights, tips and experiences at a jam-packed charity fundraiser held in the Royal Hotel in Bray in aid of CRY, the Irish registered charity that supports those affected by Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).

The event was organised by Kevin Lewis and his family in memory of their daughter Jackie who died from SADS in the last year. Over 350 people attended the exciting event and the special night included a Q&A session with Joe Schmidt regarding Irish rugby and managing at the World Cup.

Also in attendance on the night was Joe’s backroom team Richie Murphy, Greg Feek and fellow Irish rugby legend Simon Easterby and to add to the occasion Risteárd Cooper from Aprés Match entertained the crowd.

Speaking about the event, CEO of CRY Orla Fogarty thanked the Lewis family and Joe Schmidt and his team for organising and being a part of such a great event that helped raise awareness and much-needed funds for the charity: “We depend heavily on donations so that we can continue the vital work of the Centre for Cardiovascular Risk in Younger Persons (CRYP) at Tallaght hospital. Events such as this are crucial to the continuation of our service. All the money raised will go directly to the CRYP ensuring we can continue to support and screen many families who have been affected by SADS. I want to say a special thank you to the Lewis family for organising the event and also a huge thank you to Joe Schmidt and his team”.

Every year, some 80 young Irish people under the age of 35 die suddenly from a heart condition they never thought they had and up to 10,000 Irish people could carry the genes for inherited heart disease without knowing it.

The CRYP centre in Tallaght, which is supported by CRY, provides free screening for family members of those who have lost loved ones to cardiac issues or young people who are displaying worrying symptoms. It screens in the region of 1,500 patients a year and needs your support to continue to provide this vital lifeline to families who have lost loved ones to (SADS).