Friends of boy who died at 15 turn out for fund-raiser

A fun-packed sailing day in memory of a popular Great Amwell teenager, who died from a form of Sudden Death Syndrome, pulled in a terrific £230 for charity. 

Nearly 30 local Scouts, school pupils and avid young sailors, took to the waters to raise funds for the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in Young People), in honour of sports-mad James Wood, who tragically died in September 2002. 

The group of big-hearted fund-raisers, many of whom were friends of James, gathered at Broxbourne Sailing Club in Meadgate Road, Nazeing, on Saturday September 18 for the third annual charity event in James’s name. 

The aim of the day was to encourage youngsters to raise cash for CRY through a host of fun faces and sailing capers. 

The charity provided overwhelming support for James’s family after his death and James’s mum, Gill, said she was “deeply touched” by the turnout at the sailing club – where James was an enthusiastic member. 

“The object of the day, apart from obviously raising funds in James’s memory, was to encourage young people to come together,” said Gill. 

“And that’s exactly what happened.  We had 27 children on the water in 20 boats. 

“The wind was very gusty so we had three races and provided hot meals for the youngsters as they came off the water absolutely soaking. 

“The spray drenched them all but they seemed to have plenty of laughs!  The atmosphere was great and James would have relished such a day.” 

James had a passion for  most sports and was extremely keen on sailing. 

The event saw many of James’s former classmates from Haileybury public school near Hoddesdon, taking part as well as several of his pals from the Scouting movement.

The talented teen collapsed and died at home in Yearling Close just a few days after his 15^th birthday.  An inquest later found he had died from SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome), which is similar to cot death. 

The condition affects thousands of teenagers in the UK each year and the charity CRY works to promote heart screenings for youngsters at risk, particularly those who take part in a lot of sport. 

“The charity has provided our family with fantastic support and it is so nice to be able to help with its ongoing work,” added Gill. 

“Everyone at the sailing club put in a huge effort to make sure the event was a success.”