Sky’s no limit for mum as she jumps in memory of friend
Event raises funds after teen died from sudden cardiac arrest
THE friend of a teenager who died from a sudden cardiac arrest got set to take on a skydive as the latest fundraiser in her pal’s memory.
Mia Jennings, 19, of Broken Cross, passed away in 2023 and a memorial fund set up in her honour has now raised nearly £50,000 for charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
And Lauren Parker, 29, a member of the bar staff at the family’s local pub, decided to add to the total by jumping from a plane at 15,000ft.
The mum-of-one says she has ‘always wanted’ to skydive, despite a fear of heights and flying, and says she has been inspired by the Jennings fundraising efforts.
“People just don’t know the risk that everyone has got,” Lauren said on awareness of cardiac risk in young people.
The memorial fund will see the hearts of at least 1,000 young people screened.
Fundraising events have included a tractor run, bake sales, quizzes, fashion shows, and a bingo night.
And Mia’s mum Louise is preparing to run the London Marathon in Mia’s memory in April.
The popular teenager was a swimming instructor and HR apprentice
Her dad James, 45, said: “Mia was really outgoing, bubbly, and full of life. She was doing well at work and loved teaching kids to swim.
“She was thriving in her HR apprentice role, had a partner at the time, and all was going well until the unfortunate event that happened on 21st January when she passed away.
“It’s unbelievable the amount of love and support there is around Broken Cross.
“We go for a drink in the Bulls Head, and that’s been quite an important place for us since Mia passed.”
James has set up stalls at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, distributed leaflets and used social media to spread awareness of cardiac risk in the young.
According to CRY, every week in the UK, around 12 people under the age of 35 die from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. Eighty per cent of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms.
The family has held two screening days this year with CRY and a further four are scheduled this year and four booked for 2025.
The events could see 1,000 young people screened.
●●TO donate to Mia’s memorial fund visit www.c-r-y.org.uk/ mia-jennings/.