Teenagers in Lewis are being given an opportunity to have their heart screened over a three-month period.

And if any problems are identified which require treatment, they will he channelled through local GPs and direct to the teenager concerned.

“In layman’s terms, we are hoping to give the heart a MOT test, free of charge, and most people should have no problems.” said a spokesperson for the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity - CRY.

They point out that Scotland does not have a very good record on health issues, and that the number of people who develop chronic heart and chest problems in later life is ‘quite staggering’.

CRY is piloting a scheme where they will offer to give all 15 to 18-year-olds in Lewis an opportunity to have their heart screened using a 12-lead electrocardiogram machine -ECG.

To date, they say, this is the most accurate way of diagnosing a wide range of hidden heart conditions.

The scheme is being co-ordinated by the Cardiology Departments of St George’s Hospital in London, along with staff from London University College Hospital and Lewisham General Hospital.

The organisers say that the initial electrocardiogram tests will he undertaken in the Nicolson Institute, with dates and times to be notified to all those who wish to participate

CRY point out that the screening procedure has been approved by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Western Isles NHS Board, and has the support of the Cardiology Department of Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

CRY says they are grateful to these organisations well as the headteachers of Lewis School and the Nicolson Institute for their support.

The information packages will he issued to all 15 to 18 year olds to discuss with their parents. Should they wish to take part in the screening, which will take place between April and June this year, then the consent form and other data sheets should be returned to George Moody, Volunteer Project Administrator for the Western Isles.

CRY says that all the information will be strictly confidential to the project.

Alison Cox, founder and chief executive of CRY, said that the study would involve 820 young people to detect any abnormalities of the heart.

The screening procedure is a non-invasive test using an ECG machine the size of a briefcase, which has the latest interpretative data and is capable of giving an instant readout.

It is anticipated by CRY that one or two people per 100 might need to be referred to a mainland hospital for a further ultrasound check.

On her visit to Lewis, Alison Cox expressed her pleasure at the welcome and encouragement she had received and was grateful to George Moody, head teacher of Bayble School, who agreed to act as voluntary administrator for the pilot service.

The CRY ECG testing session is in memory of Joanne F. Fortheringham, a young teacher at Bayble School, who died of an undetected heart condition in 1997.

CRY said: "She was fit, active and involved in many aspects of life. There was no family history of heart problems nor had she experienced cardiac symptoms herself. This testing event has been made possible by the hard work of Joanne’s parents (Alex and Fraser Fortheringham) and their incredi­ble supporters, who are based all over the Western Isles.”

The Fotheringhams’ world was shattered in April 1997 when they lost their only daughter, who was only 24 years of age.

They said: “She died in her sleep and no cause of death could be found. How could a happy, healthy young girl be taken from us so suddenly’? It was impossible to take in or even try to understand. Joanne was our whole world with so much to live for and so much to give.”

Regarding her time at Bayble School, the Fortheringhams said: "Joanne created a wonderful bond with her pupils, fellow colleagues and pupils’ parents. In her memory, the school and community have created a memorial garden which is a wonderful tribute to her.”

At Joanne’s funeral, more than £400 was collected and the Fotheringhams were keen the money would go towards research into sudden death.

“We had been told it was rare, a cot death in an adult, but nobody could tell us anything more. We searched fruitlessly or help still information until Pearl Hunt of the Compassionate Friends of Bereaved Parents told us about CRY. That phone call was a turning point. We are very grateful to all the rnums and dads who spoke to us during that time. We also learned that the condition was not as rare as we had been led to believe, and we owe a very big thank you to all the CRY team for the invaluable information they gave us. At last we were talking with people we could relate to - it was a great relief,” they said.

When Joanne’s friends heard about CRY, they immediately wanted to do something and began fundraising for an ECG machine for Lewis and Ullapool - and this fundraising is continuing.

“We hope that by introducing an ECG programme to the area, we will help prevent the death of a much-loved son or daughter and spare their parents this awful nightmare. We hope we can help CRY be heard, that people will lis­ten and take note, and that the Government will recognise there is a need for national screening. Until then, we will keep on,” said the Fotheringhams.

Speaking about the Fotheringhams’ commitment to CRY’s work and especially this new project, Alison Cox said: “They have been tremendously courageous and far sighted in looking to thee future and developing this project.”

The cost of the project will £25000,  Half of the money already raised for the Joanne Fotheringham Memorial Fund with CRY will go towards the Lewis ECG testings; the other half will be used for the proposed screenings in the Ullapool area.

Alex Fotheringham said:”It is very important to Fraser and I that this project takes place on both sides of the Minch, because of the strong connections with Joanne.”