Two young people have been referred for vital heart investigations following a charity cardiac screening in memory of a Herefordshire schoolboy.

Funds raised in memory of Kieran Joyce led to around 150 young people from the local area being screened for potentially dangerous heart conditions by experts from a charity.

The charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), held the screenings at Weobley High School, near Leominster, where Kieran was a student.

Of the people who were screened, two were identified as requiring referral for further investigations, the charity said.

It said that highlighted the importance of the screening programme, which now provides testing for over 30,000 young people in the UK every year.

Hereford Times: Kieran's cousin Paige attended the screeningKieran's cousin Paige attended the screening

Every week in the UK, CRY says at least 12 apparently fit and healthy people die from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

Kieran died in his sleep from a previously undiagnosed heart condition, in September 2019. He was a Year 11 pupil who was popular, well-liked and an active member of the community.

A talented sportsman, Kieran was a valued member of Hereford FC’s under-16s side and had a bright future ahead of him. He had no signs or symptoms that anything was wrong.

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Following his tragic death, Kieran’s mum Andrea and her friend Carolyn set up the Kieran Joyce Memorial Fund and with the help of family and friends they have already raised more than £10,000 to date.

This money helped to fund the screening, carried out to detect any hidden heart conditions that could be potentially dangerous.

Chief executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young Dr Steven Cox praised everyone involved in the fundraising.

He said that their generosity "will help play a crucial part in preventing others from enduring the same devastating experience that they have”.