JCB Supports Life-Saving Heart Screening in Memory of F1 Engineer
Life-saving heart screening programmes for young people aged 14 to 35 are being established in memory of Anthony Lane, a former University of Birmingham student who tragically passed away from an undiagnosed heart condition. The initiative has received a significant boost with a £1,000 donation from JCB, bringing these critical health checks closer to reality.
Tragic Loss of a Promising Engineer
Anthony Lane, aged just 26, was working as an engineer for Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes Formula 1 team when he collapsed after using his exercise bike in October 2022. Found unresponsive by his partner Henrietta in Rugby, Anthony is believed to have suffered from ventricular fibrillation, a severe irregular heart rhythm that causes cardiac arrest. He had previously served as technical director for the University of Birmingham's racing team before landing his dream job at Mercedes F1's Northamptonshire base.
As a tribute, Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell displayed Anthony's name on their car nose cones during the Mexico Grand Prix in October 2022. Now, his memory is being honored through practical health initiatives that could prevent similar tragedies.
Community Screening Initiative
Uttoxeter Rotary Club, in partnership with the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), is organizing special free screening days at Oldfields Hall Middle School in Uttoxeter on Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7. The sessions aim to identify young people who may be at risk of undiagnosed heart conditions, including heart muscle disorders and electrical faults.
Anthony's parents, Penny and Paul Lane of Lichfield, have expressed their support for the initiative. Paul Lane, a former president of Wylde Green Rotary Club in Sutton Coldfield, stated: "Anthony was always such a fit and healthy young man, and his death came as a shock to all of us. We are delighted that Uttoxeter Rotary are arranging screening days in Anthony's memory that could go on to help hundreds of young people in the area."
The Critical Need for Screening
Statistics reveal a sobering reality: every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy people under age 35 die from undiagnosed heart conditions, with approximately 80 percent showing no prior symptoms. The screening process involves a medical history questionnaire and electrocardiogram (ECG), taking just 15 minutes but potentially saving lives.
Jerry Gear, past president of Uttoxeter Rotary Club who is leading the campaign, emphasized: "These events can literally be life saving for young people as they have the potential to identify those walking around unaware of underlying health conditions. Last year, 15 young people were identified as needing further medical investigation."
Funding and Future Plans
Each screening day requires £6,800 in funding, with JCB's contribution helping to cover costs for the June events. The Rotary Club is working with local businesses to raise an additional £6,000 to meet their target and hopes to secure funds for further screening dates later in the year. Up to 100 young people per day will receive free access to scans, with further tests and medical referrals provided as needed.
Anthony grew up in Stubwood near Denstone, close to JCB's world headquarters in Rocester, making the company's support particularly meaningful. The screening initiative represents a practical response to a personal tragedy that highlights broader public health concerns affecting young people across the region.
