A charity heart screening event might have saved lives, according to its organiser.

Around 200 people were screened by specialist heart doctors from Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) last weekend (April 27/28).

Kirsty Millar from Saltcoats organised the ECG-screening at Ardrossan Whitlees Centre after raising in excess of £25,000 in memory of her brother John, who died suddenly at just 35.

Kirsty said that several people had heart conditions detected, which would otherwise have remained unknown. These patients have now been referred for treatment.

She said: “It was absolutely fantastic – draining and emotional but rewarding.

“We did see a lot of young people come in which was great. I know some referrals were made as well, which was excellent because they wouldn’t have known.

“I was amazed at the amount of people who were scared to come in, saying: ‘Oh, I’d rather not know’, but the CRY team are great and had them at ease by explaining that if they find something they can fix it.

“The whole point was I don’t want another family going through the hell that we’re going through. If we can save even one life, then it’s worthwhile.”