A fund set up in memory of a teenager who died just days before his 18th birthday has now topped £100,000.
Andrew Gard suffered a cardiac death in July 1997.
The next year his family launched an appeal aimed at trying to prevent other youngsters from suffering the same fate.
Hundreds of fundraising events have been staged and donations made by people from across north Essex over the past eight years.
Andrew’s mother, Caroline, of Glebe Way, Frinton, said: “The amount now stands at just over £101,000 with more cash to come in from runners in the London Marathon.
“Our initial idea was to come up with £5,000 to buy an ECG machine for a local doctor’s surgery,” she said.
“We have managed to provide two in surgeries, one for the children’s ward at Colchester General Hospital and staged a number of clinics where young people have been able to be screened for any heart problems.
“We had no idea when we set out that we would raise such a fantastic amount of money and it is all down to the generosity of people in Tendring.
“We are obviously very proud that this has been done in Andrew’s memory.”
Andrew was a promising member of Clacton Hockey club and was a student at Colchester Royal Grammar School.
The fund was established with national charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (Cry).
So far they have staged ten clinics at Colchester General Hospital screening between 30 and 40 young people each time. There were also three other sessions in Frinton.
Mrs Gard said the next goal was to take screening into schools.
The charity has ethical approval for the move but now needs to set up a full team and administrative back-up to carry out the programme.
“It will be the first initiative of its kind in Essex and the only other one in England is in Lewisham,” added Mrs Gard.
A sum of £27,000 from Andrew’s fund has been ring-fenced to help get that scheme off the ground.
The next clinic at Colchester General Hospital will take place on May 20. It is open for those aged 14 – 35 with a cost of £35.
Appointments must be booked on 01255 673598.
