A TEENAGE girl went straight to hospital after taking part in a mass heart screening for 120 sixth form students of the Herts and Essex and Bishop’s Stortford high schools.
The testing, which also identified six other youngsters in need of further examination, was organised by the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and Cazfest, the annual music festival.
It was set up in 2009 by Lesley and Johnny Johnstone in memory of their daughter Caroline, right, known to her family and friends as Caz. She was a 17-year-old A-level student at the Bishop’s Stortford High School who hoped to go to Newcastle University to read English language.
On June 6, 2008, while clubbing with friends, she collapsed and never regained consciousness. Her parents made the devastating decision to turn off her life support and she died peacefully on June 12. Since then her parents and younger brother Ross have worked tirelessly to raise cash and awareness of teen heart problems.
Screening local youngsters – known as Caztesting – is an integral part of their efforts and the 120 youngsters examined on Sunday, at the cost of £30 a head, followed a similar screening at the Bishop’s Stortford High School last year.
* The next Cazfest will take place in Sworders Field on Saturday, July 2. The organisers are appealed for volunteers to act at stewards, with four teams covering three hours each between noon and 11pm. To help, contact Karl or Sally Winter on (01279) 325009 email winterkarl@hotmail.co.uk
