A WOMAN whose son died in a one-punch attack has launched a new campaign to demonstrate the damage a single blow can do.

Eighteen-year-old Kristian Thompson, from Burnopfield, was struck in a County Durham nightclub in September 2010, and died ten months later after suffering severe brain injuries.

One Punch North-East was created by Maxine Thompson and officially launched today (Thursday, June 18) with Durham Constabulary at the Emirates International Cricket Ground in Chester-le-Street.

It aims to educate people about the risks and consequences of the split second decision to get involved in violent situations and helps people – mainly young men - make safer choices and learn to recognise the warning signs.

Mrs Thompson said: “This is the start of our drive to show just what one punch can do and our aim is to go into school, colleges universities and workplaces to educate people about the impact it can have.

“We need to make people aware of what could happen and encourage them to stop and think.”

Kristian, a former Tanfield School and Durham Sixth Form student, spent seven days in a coma following the assault in Consett and had sections of his skull removed before dying ten months later aged 19.

Mark Berry, of Leadgate, Consett, admitted causing grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to 28 months in prison, but was freed two months before Mr Thompson died.

The campaign also involves lobbying for tougher sentences for one-punch killers, something The Northern Echo has been pushing for under its Price of a Punch campaign for the last five years.

Mrs Thompson said: “We want the law makers to sit up and listen. The newspaper campaign is excellent and that is the way to get that message out there.”

As well as Mrs Thompson, the speakers at the launch included Nitin Mukerji, a consultant neurosurgeon from the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, who outlined the physical trauma caused to the brain in a typical one-punch attack and Durham police’s Chief Constable Mike Barton.

He said: “We want to recognise Mrs Thompson’s campaign and honour it. We want to tell people that when you strike out you can kill people and not only end someone’s life, but also permanently affect your life badly.”

In May, High Court judges ordered a fresh inquest after the original open verdict, from November 2012, was challenged by his family and a review date is set for July 13.

A competition to design a poster for the campaign was won by Jack Scott and John Colman, both 13, from Tanfield School, near Stanley.

Their prize is tickets for the England v New Zealand cricket match in Chester-le-Street this weekend.