A CHARITY walk to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death among young people has been held in the North-East.

The seventh annual CRY Durham Riverside Walk was on the banks of the River Wear and the historic city streets on Saturday.

Many of those who took part have been tragically affected by young sudden cardiac death in their family.

The 8km circular route, started and finished at Durham Amateur Rowing Club, and includes views of the Wear Valley and Durham’s historic cathedral and castle, and, for the first time ever, the city centre.

Steve Percival, one of the key organisers from the very start, said: “This event has really gathered support over the past seven years and I was privileged to have been invited to become involved by my good friend and local man, Jeff Morland.

“Jeff has been a loyal fundraiser for CRY for many years, following the tragic death of his son, Levon, from a previously undiagnosed heart condition known as Wolff-Parkinson White (WPW) in 2002. He was aged just 22.

“The people of Durham and the North East have always been so supportive in helping us to spread the word about CRY’s important work in the prevention of young sudden cardiac death.”

Every week in the UK, at least 12 people aged 35 and under die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

In 80 per cent of cases, there will have been no warning signs or symptoms, which is why CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) believes that screening is so important.

CRY’s pioneering screening programme now tests around 23,000 young people aged 14 -35 every year.