Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 February 2026

Here at KES, we have worked closely with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) for many years, following the very sad passing of Ben, one of our pupils, in 2017. Since then, CRY has become an important charity for our school community, helping to raise awareness of the importance of cardiac screening for young people. A fund was established in Ben’s name to support CRY’s vital work, and we have been proud to host regular screening days at King Edward VI School, consistently filling each day of appointments.

During a previous visit to KES, Ben’s mum, Caroline Smith, spoke movingly about Ben and the life-saving importance of early screening. A message you can view below, that continues to resonate deeply within our community.

In February, we will once again be opening our doors at Hill Lane to host CRY cardiac screening for young people aged 14 -35. Appointments will be available to members of our school community and the wider public. Please read the information below carefully for full details on eligibility, booking, and what to expect on the day

Event Details

King Edward VI School will be hosting a cardiac screening programme delivered by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026, at our Wilton Road site.

The screening is open to young people aged 14 - 35 and aims to help identify individuals who may be at risk of undiagnosed heart conditions that can, in rare cases, lead to sudden cardiac death.

About Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) 

CRY is a national charity dedicated to reducing the frequency of young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening, and research. Sudden cardiac death in young people can be caused by a range of underlying heart conditions, including abnormalities in the heart’s structure, muscle, or rhythm.

While regular exercise and sport are not harmful, intense physical activity can place additional strain on the heart. For those with an undetected cardiac condition, this may increase risk. Screening helps to identify potential concerns early and, where needed, ensure appropriate follow-up.

What does the screening involve?

All individuals attending the screening will receive:

• An electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess the electrical activity of the heart

• A personal and family medical history review

• A physical examination, where required

The ECG is a simple, painless, non-invasive test that takes only a few minutes and is carried out by qualified cardiac physiologists.

If further investigation is needed, some individuals may also be offered an echocardiogram. This is an ultrasound scan of the heart that examines its structure, size and blood flow and typically takes around 30 minutes.

In a small number of cases, results may indicate the need for additional tests. Where this happens, individuals will be advised in writing and asked to follow up with their GP.

How to book an appointment

Step 1.  You will need to visit:  www.c-r-y.org.uk/benjamin-michael-smith/  Click on "custom amount" and make a minimum donation of £70.00 per person. Please make sure that you give your name for the donation - and do not leave it as anonymous as we will not be able to find you in amongst the many donations.  The donation contribution covers the cost of one screening. If you'd like to further support the charity please donate more. 

Step 2. Once your donation of £70.00 has been made please forward your donation receipt to bensmithscreening@gmail.com to confirm your donation. Please include your name, your child’s name, their school and year group.

Step 3:  You will then receive by return details of how to book your appointment for screening (please check you spam mail if not received in 24 hours).

Once the appointment is booked, you will receive a confirmation email; this will include a consent form. Please download the document, read carefully before completing and take it with you on the day.

Please note, the appointment and assessment from start to finish will take ideally 1 hour but can be up to 2 hours.

For any questions, please contact bursar@kes.school

Further information

For more information about CRY cardiac screening, please visit the CRY website.

If you have specific questions about the screening process, you can also contact the CRY screening team:

• Email: ecg@c-r-y.org.uk

• Telephone: 020 3691 0000

Caroline’s story

My son, Ben Smith, died in May 2017, aged 16.5 years old.  He was a fit and healthy KES and Trojan's Rugby Player, having played this and many other sports since the age of five.

Ben was undertaking his GCSE Exams, taking a break from revision to go for a run that he sadly never returned home from.

He was my son, my best friend, and I miss Ben dreadfully every single day.  My life has changed forever, and if through screening we could ensure that this doesn’t happen to another family, Ben’s death would not be in vain.

Ben died of SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome).  - an undetected heart electrical issue, that day to day showed no signs or symptoms.  This is the case for 80% of the 12 a week 14-35 years olds that die in the same way.