Housebuilder Dandara Scotland has donated £1,000 to support the work of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of Aberdeen teenager Jude MacDonald.
Jude was just 16 when he died suddenly from a cardiac arrest from an undiagnosed heart condition, leaving his family devastated.
Determined to prevent others from experiencing the same unimaginable loss, his family established the Hearts for Jude memorial fund, to support CRY’s vital work by providing free cardiac screenings for young people across the Aberdeen area.
Every week, at least 12 young people in the UK die suddenly from previously undetected heart conditions, often without any warning or symptoms.
Jude MacDonald
Hearts for Jude has so far raised almost £185,000 for CRY, helping 1,229 young people have their hearts screened. Dandara’s latest donation sponsored a fundraising Ladies Day at The Broadstraik Inn in Westhill, Aberdeen this month, which raised vital money for the screening campaign.
Jude’s mum Ruth MacDonald said: “Jude is missed more and more as each day passes. We would not wish this life, this grief or this shattering heartbreak on any other family. That is why we continue to fundraise, to help prevent other families from being torn apart by the sudden loss of a loved one.
“We are incredibly grateful to Dandara, and to all of our supporters who have so generously supported the fund. Their donations are helping us make a real difference and could ultimately save lives.”
Hearts for Jude has organised a further 12 more screening days across 2027 which will monitor 1200 young people, between the ages of 14 and 35, but more fundraising is needed to secure further screening sessions and to continue Jude’s legacy.
Claire Bathgate, Head of Sales for Dandara Scotland, which is building at Hazelwood in Aberdeen, said: “The work Hearts for Jude is doing with CRY is incredibly important. By helping young people access potentially life-saving cardiac screening, the fund is making a real difference in our local community. A total of 76 young people have been identified with an underlying heart abnormality, or requiring referral for further investigation, as a result of their work.
“We are proud to support such an important local cause and to play our part in helping Hearts for Jude continue Jude’s legacy and protect other young lives.”
CRY was founded in 1995 to support families following the sudden death of a young person from a cardiac condition. The charity also works to prevent young people dying suddenly from cardiac conditions, through screening. CRY has tested over 372,000 young people.
CRY CEO, Dr Steven Cox added: “In the UK alone, it’s estimated that around 600 “seemingly” fit and healthy young (that is aged 35 and under) people die annually - and suddenly - from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. In 80% of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms of a heart defect until it is too late, which is why CRY believes proactive cardiac screening is so vitally important (particularly for those involved in regular, physical activity).
“As CRY receives no government funding, our UK-wide screening programme is only possible because of the backing CRY receives from local families, communities and businesses, helping us provide this service free to the public.
“In addition to our pioneering screening programme, CRY also funds a world-renowned research centre in London and a unique, nationwide peer-to-peer bereavement network. All of these services - from screening through to support - are so important, and I’d therefore like to publicly thank Dandara for this very generous donation, which will give more young people the opportunity to have their hearts tested by CRY’s specialist team, through the Jude MacDonald Memorial Fund.”
Hearts for Jude’s next fundraising event is on 26th February 2027 in The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen. To buy tickets and find out more about sponsorship opportunities email ruthljm@hotmail.com or go to Hearts for Jude. To support the fundraising campaign go to https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/jude-macdonald/
Dandara is currently building a range of two, three, four and five bedroom homes at Hazelwood in Aberdeen. To find out more about Dandara or Hazelwood visit www.dandara.com or call 01224 003 693.