A story in the Kent Messenger Sittingbourne edition about the sudden death of an eight-year-old boy has helped a national campaign. 

Soccer-mad Adam Payne, from Westerham road, died two years ago after collapsing in front of team mates during a football coaching session at the Swallows Leisure Centre. 

An inquest recorded a verdict of natural death from unascertained causes. 

The Minterne Junior School pupil's grieving parents called at the time for all children to receive compulsory ECG checks and they highlighted a charity called CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). 

His father Nick said this week: "The article has helped highlight the work of CRY.  We would like to see all children given an ECG test." 

Adam did not suffer from epilepsy and his parents had never seen him have a fit. 

A charity spokesman said: "The results of a recent NHS audit on progress made since the publishing of a document on Sudden Death Syndrome has showed that the majority of primary care trusts have not implemented the recommended changes.  the condition claims the lives of eight young people each week. 

"Nearly 100 per cent of all PCT's interviewed said they were aware of the document - which makes the findings all the more damning. 

"The document sets out guidelines on how NHS services should identify people who are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death and how to reduce their chances of dying from an arrhythmic condition." 

The survey of PCT's, GP's and the general public reinforces concerns by CRY that no significant progress has been made to address the 400 unexplained sudden cardiac deaths of young people every year. 

The CRY spokesman added: "84 per cent of GPs interviewed said they had experienced a young sudden cardiac death in their practice which suggests that the real number of young deaths is higher."