AROUND 200 people have taken part in a sponsored walk to help young people with heart problems.

The Riverside Walk, in Durham City, organised by Cardiac Risk in the Young (Cry), was held yesterday (Saturday, October 4) to fund heart screening for healthy young people who lead normal lives but have undetected potentially deadly heart defects.

The walk has grown in success over the years, supported by the family of Levon Morland, of West Rainton, who died of a previously undiagnosed heart condition in 2002, aged 22.

Among those taking part were Levon’s twin brother Aran and his father Jeff.

Event fundraiser Cara MacMillan said: “The day really well. We had just under 200 walkers taking part. It helped that the weather was dry.

“We also had an awareness day with a stall in the Market Place. We had a lot of people coming up to us. We also had free a prize drawn.”

Andy Hughes of the John Duck pub laid on food for the walkers after the event.

Northumbrian Water donated water and Popchips donated crisps, while Radflex gave the walkers chocolate bars.

Also helping organise the the walk was Steve Percival, a friend of the Morland family. The fundraising manager this year was Rebecca Zouvani.

Walkers set off from the Durham Amateur Rowing Club for the four-mile circular walk. It was the sixth Durham Riverside Walk, held during Cry’s 20th anniversary year.

Funds raised go towards funding Cry’s Research Fellowship Programme.