The tragic death of a young Wearside man from a rare heart disorder, Wolfe Parkinson White syndrome, a year ago is giving new hope to others who suffer from similar complaints.

A campaign to raise funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) has brought in thousands of pounds and led to the establishment of a cross-party parliamentary group to champion the charity’s aims.

Levon Morland, 22, from West Rainton, who was an avid Sunderland supporter, died in his sleep on 3 January last year after a night out.

His father, Jeff, a trade unionist and lead singer with a well-known local rock band, Barkin’ Billy and the Scrapyard Dogs, launched the campaign in his son’s memory last February and it has met with a tremendous response.

So far more than £25,000 has been raised through a variety of activities – ranging from gigs in local pubs to a sponsored 300 mile cycle ride along a route in the shape of a heart and a fire-walking event.

Levon’s death devastated his family, including his twin brother, Aran, and the local community, but the fund-raising and political campaign to tackle the problem has gained wide-ranging support.

His father, divisional officer and regional political secretary with the Amicus – AEEU union, has used his contacts, including Kevan Jones, a family friend and MP for North Durham, to put the issue on the political agenda.

With Mr Jones’s support, the cross-party group was formed, and the charity has now gained official Government recognition with a £105,000 grant, which will be used mainly to bolster up its bereavement counselling service.

Ian Botham has also joined with Mr Jones in campaigning for mass screening for schoolchildren to detect heart abnormalities.

Jeff, who was ill with depression after his son’s death, said they knew he had Wolfe Parkinson White syndrome, which causes heart flutters, but nobody told the family it could be fatal – or that he could have been cured by an operation.

“We are campaigning on all fronts to raise awareness of these little known heart conditions which represent a significant threat to our young people.

“The young people who are most at risk are those who try to keep themselves fit and live an active, sporting life.

“CRY is also about being on the trail of the silent killer that is stalking our young people.”