On July 21, 2016, Michael died during a school organised cycling pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Despite being physically fit, Michael suffered from an undiagnosed heart condition and died completely unexpectedly and tragically from a suspected heart attack. Michael was 16 years old and thoroughly enjoying his life; full of dreams and ambitions and getting ready to embark on a career in healthcare with his plan of taking up medicine in university. He loved serving God as an altar server since he was seven, first at the Sacred Heart Parish in Morriston, Swansea, and then at the Cathedral Church of St. Joseph’s in Swansea. He enjoyed working with children in his role as a Volunteer Youth Helper with the HCPT, a charitable organisation that gives life-changing pilgrimage holidays to Lourdes, France for disabled and disadvantaged children and adults. As is so often the case, his family learned a great deal more about him from the stories of friends and those who knew him in different ways. They talk of his gentleness and unfailing consideration for others, of those qualities that earned him the description of being a true gentleman. Others saw in him the simple faith that made his life so worthwhile, so fulfilled and so rewarding. He demonstrated so naturally his belief in Christian values and morality and for those who recognise him only from his duties as an altar server no one could have doubted his absolute sincerity.

Perhaps what illustrates his qualities better than anything was the account of one of his fellow helpers on an HCPT trip to Lourdes when Michael gave his own shoes to a young pilgrim whose shoes were wet. What most touched that witness was that Michael continued the journey barefoot and without complaint. Maybe that was what he was all about… only very much more.

With a very kind donation from the parents of Michael Cura of £8,209.15 in memory of their 16 year old son Michael, Calon Hearts Screening and Defibrillators Wales will be able to support schools and youth groups throughout Wales that need a defibrillator

Please get in touch with us if your school would like to receive a defibrillator in memory of Michael Cura!

Get involved and download our Fundraising Pack

 

One of our aims is to ensure that every school in Wales has a defibrillator and that staff working within the school are trained to use it in the event of an emergency situation. Defibrillators save lives so we would love for your school to get involved and raise money to get your hands on this life-saving equipment.

How can your school raise money?

There are so many ways you can fundraise for us. You could start by putting together a fundraising committee with children from different age groups on board then get planning your events! Here are just a few ideas to help you along the way:

Sponsored sports events

Sponsored silence

Doing chores such as gardening or helping with the cleaning in return for a donation

We would love to work with your school and will support and help you along the way so please get in touch.

SAVING LIVES IN WELSH SCHOOLS PROJECT

Calon Heart Screening are working alongside anaesthetic and intensive care doctors from all over the country to teach important life-saving skills to schoolchildren in Wales.

Hour-long sessions will provide a thorough understanding of basic life support and may even stimulate an interest in a career in medicine. By passing on our experience and skills we will give the students the confidence to deal with medical emergencies and ultimately in saving patients’ lives.

CPR in schools

We love to visit schools all over Wales to teach lifesaving CPR and defibrillator skills. We are delighted that the Welsh Government has agreed to include CPR in the Welsh school curriculum, and are looking forward to continuing to offer this lifesaving training to schools all over the country ❤️

Heart Screening

One in every 200 people who get their heart screened will be identified as having a potentially life-threatening heart condition.

To book a heart screening session please visit here.

If your school is interested in holding a heart screening session for staff and pupils, please get in touch.

WHY NOT STEP UP TO THE BEAT FOR CALON?

Click here for our Step Up To The Beat Fundraising Pack

Exercise should be a fun and rewarding activity for children of all ages. That’s why we want to encourage children to get active in whatever way they choose while listening to their favourite music anytime. Perhaps this can be a child’s first experience of a fundraising event so making it fun is the most important thing.

So whether your children or school class are fans of pop music or nursery rhymes, exercising to a beat will make it more appealing and fun in the long term.

Not only will you have fun being more active but you will be helping Calon Heart Screening raise vital funds for heart screening through monies raised in sponsorship or participation fees.

How to get involved?

 

● Download the Calon Step up to the Beat Spotify playlist or press play on your own speakers (as loud as you can get away with!)

Organise a day and time with some friends (the more the merrier!)

● Pick your activity or even a few to do. Our team from the office has suggested some favourites but feel free to pick your own and share them with us so we can share with everyone else too – as long as you’re moving, you’re exercising!