A leading Welsh heart charity is bringing its mobile screening programme to Newtown this weekend, offering free heart checks for young people.
Calon Hearts will host a heart screening event at The Elephant & Castle Hotel in Newtown on Sunday, October 18, in memory of Thomas Charles 'Charlie' Owens.
The charity is encouraging people from across Powys to book appointments and get checked for potentially serious heart conditions that may otherwise go undetected.
Free screenings are available for people aged 15½ to 26, while those aged 27 and over can book a screening for £300.
Organisers say the event aims to raise awareness of the importance of heart screening, particularly among young people, as undiagnosed heart conditions can sometimes lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
The Cardiff-based charity, founded by Sharon Owen more than 13 years ago, now runs screening sessions across Wales on most weekends through its mobile heart screening programme.
Ms Owen's inspiration to establish the charity came after she was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse at the age of 11 and later experienced the loss of friends and family members to heart disease.
Like many charities, Calon Hearts faced significant financial challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic when fundraising events were unable to take place.
However, after relaunching under the Calon Hearts name, the organisation has continued to expand its work across Wales and beyond.
Ms Owen said: "Since relaunching the charity, I have realised the vital importance of heart screening, particularly for young people who play sport for their school, college or communities.
"We are all, sadly, only too aware of the young sports players we continually lose to undiagnosed heart conditions and who, had they been screened, might still be alive today.
"I continue to campaign for the Welsh Government to introduce screening as a routine option for young people, as well as making it more readily available for older age groups, as is the case in other countries."
Thanks to funding from Loteri Cymru, the charity was able to launch its mobile screening initiative, helping to bring heart health services directly to communities throughout Wales.
Alongside screening work, Calon Hearts also delivers CPR and defibrillator training, helping more people gain lifesaving skills and confidence to respond in emergencies.
The Newtown screening event will take place at The Elephant & Castle Hotel on Broad Street on Sunday, October 18.
Anyone wishing to book an appointment can do so via the Calon Hearts website.
Organisers are also encouraging local residents to spread the word about the event to help more people access potentially lifesaving heart checks.
Share