Over 100,000 people in the UK are waiting for vital heart screenings while the theft or vandalism of more than 100 defibrillators is leaving people at risk by limiting access to life-saving tests and equipment.
According to experts, these gaps in access are putting lives in danger – especially for young people who are unaware of underlying heart conditions.
In Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in sport, cases of young sudden cardiac death have fallen by a massive 89%.
But in the UK, NHS guidelines mean free echocardiogram heart screenings are only provided for young people when a cardiac death has occurred in the family, or through the work of charities such as Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
CRY provides around 30,000 appointments for 14 to 25-year-olds each year.
An ECG is a procedure where electrodes are placed on the chest to monitor heart activity. Despite its simplicity, cost and access remain significant barriers with private screenings priced at around £80 per test.
Gillian and Barry Wilkinson’s world turned upside down in 2016 when their 24-year-old son Daniel died from an undiagnosed heart condition while playing football. Since then, they have set up the Daniel Wilkinson Foundation in his name, raising money to fund heart screenings for young people and supply defibrillators to grassroots sports clubs.
Dr Tim Chico, a cardiologist at the University of Sheffield, argues that what is actually needed is more reliable testing, but Dr Steven Cox, CEO of CRY says the NHS and the National Screening Committee undervalues ECG as a diagnostic tool.
Sam Russell, 26, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest playing hockey in February 2025. His teammates gave CPR as others desperately tried to find a life-saving defibrillator. Sam has now raised over £8,000 to pay for ten defibrillators and offer CPR training.
A Sheffield Wire Freedom of Information request has revealed that 124 defibrillators have been stolen or damaged in the UK during the last two years leaving communities without life-saving equipment.
And figures such as this, alongside the long wait for screenings, highlight the need for mandatory screenings more than ever.
Paul Gregory lost his daughter Lauren to a sudden cardiac arrest when she was 29. Since then he has campaigned to place a defibrillator in every corner of football stadiums across the UK.
And we have also heard from Sheffield Sharks who screen their senior players before every season and are now making changes to ensure all young people are safe and ready to play at any age.
Our campaign brings together real-life stories, expert insight, and a national call to action to ensure regular heart screenings for all young people.
