On 17 May 2026 Pontefract Rugby Club is hosting a Heart Screening event organised by the Cardiac Risk in the Young (‘CRY’), a UK registered charity that helps prevent sudden cardiac deaths in young people through awareness screening, research and providing bereavement support for affected families.

Two of the central figures organising the event are Ruth Land and her partner Allen, both from Pontefract. Ruth’s son, Michael John Land, a player/coach at York Railway Institute Rugby Club, sadly died in his prime as a result of an unpredicted cardiac arrest in 2012 at just 28 years of age.

Ruth explains: ‘After Michael died, we set up a memorial fund in his name in order to raise funds to help identify young people at risk of sudden death syndrome. Our objectives coincide with those of CRY which we have supported ever since. We will test over 100 young people in the screening day at the Rugby Club, and I am confident it will help save lives’.

PRUFC are privileged to host such a worthwhile cause. If you have any questions about screening or for more information about sudden cardiac arrest and the work done by CRY, visit www.c-r-y.org.uk.