Alicia Kearns raised Rutlander Andrew Osborne’s Solo Row Across the Atlantic at PMQs today.
Andrew Osborne set off on 8th January 2023 to row over 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean solo and unsupported to raise money after the loss of his youngest daughter Amy.
Amy died in her sleep five years ago at the age of 25 from an undiagnosed heart condition. Amy’s family set up Amy’s Memorial Fund at the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to fund the testing of children in schools for this condition.
Twelve health children and fit young adults die each week in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions, but 80% don’t experience any symptoms.
Andrew has now raised over £150,000 for CRY, which will go towards the testing of pupils in schools across Rutland and Leicestershire for undiagnosed heart conditions.
Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton said:
“Andrew Osborne’s solo row across the Atlantic is an incredible feat, and he has raised an outstanding amount of money for such a wonderful cause in memory of Amy.
“We must do more to raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death and the importance of screening children to ensure no family has to go through the heartbreak of losing a much loved child like Amy.
“I am pleased to have secured a commitment from the Deputy Prime Minister to meet with Ministers at the Department of Health to discuss what action can be taken.”
