The Beat Goes On is a community group based in Scawby, fundraising to provide cardiac screening for young people aged 14 to 35 across North Lincolnshire.
In February 2019, the founders’ lives changed forever when their 31-year-old son, Nathan, was found dead in his bed.
Nathan had been fit and healthy, with no symptoms or illness. He died in his sleep. It was later discovered that he had an undiagnosed cardiac arrhythmia, a condition that could have been detected by a simple electrocardiogram (ECG) test.
Nathan had worked as a manager at Wilco’s Motor Save in Gainsborough, and many local people may remember him.
Each week in the UK, at least 12 young people under the age of 35 die from undiagnosed cardiac conditions. Around 80% have no symptoms, and it is estimated that 90% of these lives could be saved through cardiac screening. However, the NHS does not routinely offer screening unless symptoms are present or a condition has already been identified.
The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) provides a mobile cardiac screening unit, and in Nathan’s memory, The Beat Goes On raises funds to bring this service to the local community. To date, more than 800 screenings have been funded, with a further 200 planned for 2026 and 2027. Of those screened in North Lincolnshire, 55 young people have been found to have previously undiagnosed cardiac conditions.
Alongside this work, the group is campaigning for the introduction of cardiac screening for all young people at the age of 14. Over the past three years, meetings have taken place with government officials in London, and a parliamentary petition has been launched to support this aim.
The petition can be viewed at http://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750999. The group continues to raise awareness in the hope of preventing further tragedies and saving young lives.
For more information, contact Stephen and Gill Ayling on 07837 851898.