A GRIEVING mother’s promise to honour the memory of her teenage son who died in his sleep will see her helping hundreds of the North-East’s young generations.

Despite appearing fit and healthy, Karen Campbell’s 16-year-old son, James, died as he slept of an undiagnosed heart condition in 2013.

His family, from Linthorpe, in Middlesbrough, vowed to pay tribute to James and are now funding free heart screenings for teenagers and young adults through the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity (CRY).

Screenings for 14 to 35-year-olds usually cost £35 per person, however a £14,000 sum raised by Mrs Campbell through the James Campbell Memorial Fund will offer 400 screenings for free on Teesside.

The first round of screenings took place at the Resource Centre in Middlesbrough last week which involved a painless electrocardiograph scan that can detect seven types of heart defects.

Mrs Campbell, who lives with her husband Stephen and their son, Adam, said: “It was very emotional. I did feel James was there with us.

“He was only 16 when he died but he had a good, kind heart and I think he would have thought doing such an amazing thing would have been the best thing that could have come from him dying.

“I can’t help think that James and everyone who loved him missed out because we didn’t know about CRY and the work they do.

“If we had, he’d have been tested and we’d have found out about the heart defect he had.”

More than 200 people attended the health event, with some travelling from as far as Northumberland to access the screenings that are not routinely offered in the North-East.

Mrs Campbell added: “Teenagers think they’re indestructible, they think it will never happen to them, but if these screenings make a difference to even one family then that will make it all worthwhile.

“I would love for James to be remembered for saving even one life after his death, but hopefully we can save many more.

“This is just my way of paying tribute to James – he deserves it. At some point in his life he’d have been making a difference, so it’s not surprising he’s doing even after his death.”

Screenings on Monday, April 10, and Tuesday, April 11, hosted at James’ former school, the Macmillan Academy, off Stockton Road, Middlesbrough, are already fully booked.

However, to join a waiting list, call CRY on 01737-363222.