The Bobby Challenge
& Ball
In loving memory of Robert Anthony Wane
Raising funds for Heartbeat North West Cardiac Care and CRY to support heart screening, awareness and prevention.
Why we’re doing this
Bobby’s Ball and Carl’s Bobby Challenge have been created to raise awareness of undiagnosed heart conditions, missed warning signs, and the life-saving importance of CPR and defibrillator training.
We are fundraising in memory of Bobby Wane while supporting the incredible work of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), helping provide free cardiac screenings for young people and raising awareness of cardiac risk in the young.
We are also raising money and awareness for Heartbeat Cardiac Care North West, based at Deepdale Stadium — home of Bobby’s beloved football club, Preston North End F.C..
Heartbeat Cardiac Care North West provides vital support for people living with heart conditions through:
• Cardiac rehabilitation and exercise programmes
• Heart health support and recovery services
• Community heart screenings
• CPR and defibrillator training
Their work helps save lives, supports recovery, and gives families hope following cardiac diagnosis and treatment.
Too many families lose loved ones because symptoms are missed, dismissed, or misunderstood. We want to help change that.
Our Mission
Through Bobby’s Ball and Carl’s Bobby Challenge, we aim to:
• Raise awareness of undiagnosed heart conditions
• Educate people on the warning signs and importance of family history
• Support free cardiac screenings for young people through CRY
• Raise funds for Heartbeat Cardiac Care North West
• Promote CPR and defibrillator training within communities
• Increase awareness and access to community defibrillators
• Honour Bobby’s life and legacy by helping save others
Because one diagnosis, one screening, one defibrillator, or one person knowing CPR could save a life.
In Memory of Bobby Wane
Bobby Wane was just 35 when he sadly died on 25 September 2025 after a sudden cardiac arrest caused by an undiagnosed heart condition, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
There were no clear warning signs, and despite symptoms over time and a family history of HCM, he was repeatedly misdiagnosed.
This is why Bobby’s Ball and Carl’s Bobby Challenge matter so much to Danielle and the children.
They are raising awareness of hidden heart conditions, the importance of screening, and the life saving impact of CPR training and accessible community defibrillators. No family should ever feel helpless in those critical moments.
What is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)?
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thickened. This can make it harder for the heart to pump blood properly and, in some cases, can cause dangerous heart rhythms that may lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
HCM is often inherited and can run in families. Some people have no symptoms at all, while others may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness or fainting, heart palpitations, or extreme tiredness. These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for asthma or anxiety.
Sadly, many people do not realise they have HCM until it is too late. This is why awareness and cardiac screening, especially where there is a family history, are so important.
Why CPR and defibrillator training matters
When someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, every second counts.
Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. Using a defibrillator (AED) as quickly as possible can be the difference between life and death.
Survival rates drop rapidly for every minute without CPR or defibrillation. Many people still don’t feel confident enough to perform CPR or use a defibrillator, even though defibrillators are designed to be used by ordinary people and guide you step by step.
By raising awareness and supporting organisations like CRY and Heartbeat North West Cardiac Care, we hope more people feel confident to act in an emergency and more families are spared the heartbreak we have experienced.
Bobby’s Ball will be held on Saturday 26th September, just one year on from Bobby’s tragic death.
The evening will be a celebration of Bobby’s life — not only for those who knew and loved him, but also for anyone who has been touched by Bobby’s story and wants to show support to his family and friends, support these two amazing charities, and help raise awareness.
The ball is open to everyone.
Together, we hope to honour Bobby’s memory, celebrate his life, and create something positive that could help save lives in the future.
Charity Statistics
HEARTBEAT NWCC - 2026
Number of people we support every week
Number of exercise classes every week
The cost to provide Heartbeat services for one year
Your donations can change someones future
How Can You Help?
Heart conditions don’t always come with warnings. Your donation helps raise awareness of symptoms, the importance of screening, and supports services that help people living with cardiac conditions. It also helps fund life saving education around CPR and access to defibrillators.
If you can donate today, please do. If you can’t, sharing the page makes a huge difference.
Follow Carl’s journey
We’ll be posting updates, training milestones and behind the scenes moments as Carl takes on the challenge.
Carl is doing this for Bobby, his best mate since nursery. Bobby was the loud one, the funny one, the one who filled every room. Last year, he died in his sleep from a sudden cardiac arrest caused by an undiagnosed heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). He was just 35. No warning signs. No second chances.
So Carl and Bobby’s family decided to turn that grief into something that matters. Carl had never properly ridden a road bike before, and now he’s training to climb the three highest mountains in the UK and cycle between them, finishing at Preston North End on 25 September 2026, one year on from the day they lost him.
Not because he loves mountains. Not because he loves cycling. But because he loved Bobby.
Follow the journey, share it, and help raise awareness and funds for heart screenings through Heartbeat. For Bobby ❤️
Bobby's Ball
Can your business help?
We’re looking for local businesses who can donate a raffle prize or auction item for Bobby’s Ball, or sponsor part of the fundraiser. Any support helps, and we’ll proudly promote supporters across our socials and event materials.