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. His family established the Hearts for Jude memorial fund, to support CRY’s work by providing free cardiac screenings for young people across the Aberdeen area.
The campaign has so far raised almost £185,000 for CRY, helping 1,229 people have their hearts screened. Dandara’s latest donation sponsored a fundraising Ladies Day at The Broadstraik Inn in Westhill, Aberdeen.
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 for 2027.
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.”
Since being founded in 1995, CRY has tested over 372,000 young people.
Hearts for Jude’s next fundraising event is on 26th February 2027 in The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen.
