Imberhorne beat Sackville 4-3 in the 22nd Adam Dabell Memorial match at East Grinstead Town FC, raising money for heart charity CRY. How to book a screening.

Imberhorne School beat Sackville School 4-3 in the 22nd Adam Dabell Memorial match at East Grinstead Town FC, a game played every year in memory of a young local footballer and to raise money for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Adam Dabell died of an undiagnosed heart condition. His family, friends and the wider community have since worked to raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death, and the family set up a memorial fund with CRY that supports the charity’s screening programme, its help for bereaved families, and research and pathology.

The match

Mims Davies, MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, watched the first half. The score came, she said, from Cllr Jacquie Russell:

“It was special again to be able to join the first half of annual Adam Dabell Memorial Football match - the 22nd match between Sackville and Imberhorne Schools - many goals were scored despite heavy rain setting in.

It was Imberhorne who took the trophy 4 goals to Sackville’s 3 report the brilliant Cllr Jacquie Russell - well done to all for this game that means so much and the rain was awful!! But water wise welcome.”

Mims Davies MP takes a selfie with a man in a cap and a Timberland jacket wearing a Cardiac Risk in the Young badge, the floodlit pitch and players behind them
Mims Davies MP beside the floodlit pitch at East Grinstead Town FC with a supporter wearing a CRY badge. Photo: supplied by the office of Mims Davies MP

The rain matters more than usual this autumn: Sussex is in severe drought and the hosepipe ban has been tightened.

Last year it went the other way. CRY’s report on the 21st match, written by the Dabell family, says Sackville won 2-1 on Thursday 2 October 2025, that Imberhorne still led the overall series 11 to 9, and that collections on the night plus donations from friends and the family raised £600 for CRY.

Who was there

The Deputy Mayor of East Grinstead, Cllr Craig Pond, came to the medal ceremony, and Cllr John Belsey was among those who stood in the rain. Ms Davies, who is also Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, thanked the club for the use of its ground:

“Thank you Richard & all at East Grinstead FC for again supporting this vital cause and giving up the pitch and facilities for this vital fundraising and awareness opportunity for the community.

Backing the fantastic Cardiac Risk in the Young and the lovely and stoic Dabell family and all who knew and loved Adam.

Great the Town Deputy Mayor Cllr Craig Pond managed to make it out of sick bay to join the medal ceremony and thank you Cllr John Belsey and many others for braving the rain to support this special cause to a lovely family who miss Adam so very much.

Thank you to the Ref, Lino’s, teachers, and all supporters for making this match a huge success again for the family and this vital charity.”

Two smiling men in padded jackets sit in the clubhouse, one holding a red Cardiac Risk in the Young awareness leaflet reading Preventing sudden cardiac death
Supporters in the East Grinstead Town FC clubhouse with a CRY awareness leaflet. Photo: supplied by the office of Mims Davies MP
A woman and a man sit at a table in the clubhouse at East Grinstead Town FC
Supporters in the clubhouse at East Grinstead Town FC. Photo: supplied by the office of Mims Davies MP

Why the charity screens young people

CRY wants every young person to have the chance of a heart screening. The charity says 1 in 300 of the people it tests has a potentially life-threatening heart condition that will benefit from lifestyle advice, treatment and sometimes corrective surgery. After a young sudden cardiac death it offers families bereavement support, helps them understand what caused the death, and refers them on to specialists in inherited heart conditions.

Ms Davies said:

“12 young people A WEEK very sadly die of undiagnosed heart conditions, and this charity is vital in saving lives, research and supporting families through unimaginable loss and suffering due to this terrible loss of young talent and futures stolen.”

Players in red and in dark kits on a floodlit pitch at night, a corner flag in the foreground
Players under the floodlights at East Grinstead Town FC. Photo: supplied by the office of Mims Davies MP

What it means for you

Screening details and the form to register an interest are on the CRY website; the charity’s head office is on 01737 363222. Donations in Adam’s name go through the Adam Dabell memorial fund page.

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