‘Charity heart screening event saved my life’

How Craig's Heartstrong Foundation helped netballer discover potentially life-threatening condition 

Eleven years ago, when Molly Wallace was just 18, she attended a charity heart screening event that would have an immediate and lasting impact on her life.

Responding to a callout from Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, Molly, like hundreds of 14 to 35-year-olds on the Isle of Man, put her name down for an ECG (electrocardiogram) test.

What clinicians discovered that day was that Molly, a netballer with the Isle of Man national team, had a hole in her heart of ‘significant size’.

Without treatment, Molly was told that - if she was to become pregnant - the pressure on her heart would put her at risk of suffering a stroke. A ‘high likelihood’, she was told.

Her condition is known as an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), and during the 18 months that followed her original screening Molly would attend Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital for two rounds of surgery.

“In all honesty, it saved my life”

Eleven years later and Molly is now married, continues to play and coach netball twice a week, and hopes to one day complete the Parish Walk.

Like many others on the Island, she’s also become a fierce advocate for Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, encouraging anyone within the age bracket to take up the opportunity and attend the heart screening events when they come around:

(LtR: Craig Lunt and his cousin Hailey Coxon - image supplied by the family)

“He was sporty, he was cheeky, he was funny, he was well loved”

Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation was established following the death of Manx footballer Craig Lunt who, in April 2005 at just 25-years-old, died in his sleep due to an undiagnosed heart defect.

Craig had long QT syndrome, a disorder of the electrical system of the heart – something it would take genetic testing of his wider family members to discover.  

Many people with long QT syndrome do not have any symptoms, but it’s something that can be detected during ECG testing.

Hailey Coxon, Craig’s cousin, says it's a special feeling to know that, thanks to Craig's legacy, young people on the Island like Molly can be helped. She remembers Craig's passion for all things football and the Isle of Man:

Upcoming heart screenings

The next round of heart screenings will take place at Noble’s Hospital on 25 and 26 April. Bookings are set to go live on Friday, 20 February at 4pm. 

Details on how to book will be made available via the Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation website and the charity’s social media.

(Image: The C-R-Y van outside Noble's Hospital during the most recent round of heart screenings, September 2025 - Manx Radio)

To host the heart screening events, Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation teams up with the UK charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), which brings the necessary equipment and staff over.

Paul Healey, Chairman of Craig's Heartstrong Foundation says: "Craig didn't have the chance to come and have a heart screening. If he had, his problem would have been found. So, we're just happy his name's there and the legacy he's left behind is fantastic."

Hear more

You can hear extended interviews with Molly Wallace and Hailey Coxon as part of an Island Life special tonight on Manx Radio from 5:30pm. It will be available afterwards as a podcast.

Find out more about the work of Craig's Heartstrong Foundation HERE.