North Devon woman dedicates New Year’s Honour to a brother taken too soon

A Bideford woman has dedicated her British Empire Medal for charity and public service to her brother, taken far too soon due to an unknown heart condition.

Charlotte Luckett was named a BEM in the New Year Honours list for her work as the North Devon representative of CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young, a charity which raises awareness of hidden heart conditions in young people.

READ MORE: Bideford College hosts life-saving cardiac screenings

Charlotte, now aged 45 and her family are all too aware of how deadly these can be after her brother Martyn tragically passed away just before his 20th birthday, from an infection made worse by an unknown heart condition.

Above: Charlotte Luckett, second right, with friends Tamsin Winter and Emma Tanner at Celebrity Soccer organised by Bideford Football Club and joined by Callum Best.

Following his death, after seeming perfectly healthy the day before, Charlotte and her parents began fundraising for CRY and over the past 18 years they have raised awareness by organising heart screening of more than 2,500 young people, at various drop-ins and visits to schools such as Bideford College.

Charlotte, supported by her friends, has also run two London Marathons, more than 50 half marathons and completed the 102-mile Ride London bike ride as well as the Swim Serpentine challenge, all to fundraise for CRY.

Above: Charlotte has also been a Beaver leader for seven years for 1st Woolsery Scouts, pictured here with friends Jane Cann and Tina Jeffery.

Her BEM was also for public service and in addition to her charity work, the qualified surveyor who works for the Valuation Office Agency has helped mentor graduates and assist them with receiving their professional qualifications.

She is also a Beaver leader with the 1st Woolsery Scout Group.

Speaking of her award, Charlotte said: “I do almost feel like an imposter really, because it’s just what I do. It is a natural thing to try to help people and to be part of the community.

“I would like to honour my brother with this award and also my parents, because I grew up seeing them helping the community and my dad was into motorcycle trials biking and even at the age of 79 he is still very involved with the local Torridge motorcycle club. My mum was also heavily involved in Scouts too.

“I feel the award is more in recognition of others, my family and the community and my amazing friends who do all the challenges with me.

Above: Charlotte and friends Tamsin Winter and Anna Buck after taking part in the Great North Run dressed in heart costumes to raise awareness for CRY.

Charlotte added: “In November a group of us ran and swam 40 miles to mark what would have been Martyn’s 40th birthday, which raised more than £1,000.

“We are only a small family but the community has really got on board, which makes the screening possible and so many local businesses are so involved now.

“All of my friends were screened at the time and now their children are being screened.”

You can find out more about the work of CRY at https://www.c-r-y.org.uk