Free heart checks to be held in memory of coach
Kris Ledgard died from undetected condition in 2012
FREE heart checks are being held on Loughborough University campus later this month in memory of Kris Ledgard, a popular coach who died from an undetected condition aged just 22.
Kris, a strength and conditioning coach with basketball team Leicester Riders and a former student at Loughborough College, passed away suddenly in October 2012.
Since his death, his family established the Kris Ledgard Foundation and Memorial Fund and have worked in partnership with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to raise awareness.
The Leicester Riders are supporting the foundation along with Loughborough University and on August 18 and August 19, people aged 14-35 will be able to go along and be screened for any potential heart conditions, free of charge.
The screening has been paid for by money raised through various events, including a number of Riders games.
Tom Ledgard, Kris’ brother and Director of the Foundation, said: “The Riders have supported us since Kris’ passing and the screening is a way of saying thank you to the club and its community for the support we have received.
“One in 12 people in the UK every week die from undetected heart problems and the screening aims to prevent any amongst young and active people playing sport regularly like Kris – it can affect anybody.”
Russell Levenston, Riders’ General Manager, said: “Kris laid the foundation for strength and condition work at the Riders and achieved a great amount in such a short time. His legacy continues to live on with the club and we urge all of our community to take up the opportunity to get their heart check. Members of both BBL and WBBL teams will be screened over the weekend and we look forward to seeing many of you there.”
Since his passing over 400 people have been screened through Kris’ foundation, of which three people were detected with possible symptoms and supported through further tests. The screening itself is a quick and simple ECG that takes 10 minutes and concludes with a consultation with a doctor.
Places for screenings on both Saturday and Sunday are still available. To book yours, visit https://testmyheart.org.uk/