THE legacy of a North-East schoolboy who died after a severe asthma attack could help thousands of sufferers.

Nine-year-old Jacob Fleming, of School Aycliffe, County Durham, died last May after his first asthma attack.

Now, in memory of the youngster, his family hopes to raise £50,000 to buy medical equipment to help diagnose lung conditions.

On Monday, which would have been Jacob's 11th birthday, his mother, Ruth, and her partner, Nick Martin, will tackle sponsored challenges.

Miss Fleming, a 32-year-old finance manager, plans to walk 50km on a treadmill at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre and Mr Martin, 34, will lift tonnes throughout the day at Bannatyne's Health Club in Darlington.

The money raised will go towards buying a bronchoscope for the Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association.

Miss Fleming said: "I would love to buy a bronchoscope in Jake's name, it would be like having a little bit of Jake out there trying to stop other people suffering.

"This piece of equipment would be sent to people anywhere in the country to help doctors examine lungs and understand severe or life-threatening asthma and hopefully then help improve their lives."

Friends have already raised money to buy three spore traps that asthma patients can use in their home to detect attack triggers in the air.

To support the appeal, send a cheque, payable to MAARA, to PO Box 1057, Leicester, LE2 3GZ, or call (0116) 2707557.