The parents of an Eglinton teenager who died suddenly following a PE lesson in 2007, have donated a sent of potentially life-saving defibrillators to his old school Lisneal College. 

Rae and Kingsley McGowan were left heartbroken when their fifteen-year-old son James died of a suspected heart abnormality shortly after the commencement of the school year in September 2007. 

It is believed James was the victim of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS), a silent killer that has only really come to public attention over the past decade. 

The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) estimates the condition claims between eight and twelve young people every week. 

And Curryneirin mother Maura Hegarty, who lost her 19-year-old son Brendan to an undiagnosed heart condition in 2003, recently urged members of the public to avail of a new life-saving cardiac screening service that visits the Magee campus of the University of Ulster this Saturday, February 14. 

James' parents are also determined to do whatever they can to heighten awareness of the condition and ensure those at risk have every opportunity of being treated successfully.  This morning the McGowan's were set to donate two resuscitation devices at James' old school, Lisneal College.  His mother Rae recalled to the Sentinel how James inspired the contribution. 

'On Wednesday, September 19, our son James was taken from us.  He collapsed and died at school.  That morning we dropped James off at school as usual, feeling fine and looking forward to the day ahead.  Little did we know that that would be the last time we would see him alive,' said Mrs McGowan. 

'We were not in any way prepared for the events that were to unfold later that day.  We are now like many other parents, members of a club that we never thought we would have to join; a club with a membership fee that comes with too high a price to pay.

'Awareness needs to be raised to show that young people with undiagnosed cardiac abnormalities can die suddenly from heart problems.  It is reported that every week up to as many as eight apparently fit and healthy young people die in the UK from undiagnosed heart problems,' she added. 

Mrs McGowan believes further measures can be implemented to combat SADS and has urged people to avail of heart screening, which could just make the difference between life and death. 

'Many young lives could be saved by having a simple ECG screening test which can detect hidden heart problems and detect those at risk.  Campaigns for heart screening in young people should be supported and highlighted,' Mrs McGowan stressed. 

'We would ask that our local MP's, councils, schools and the medical profession keep putting pressure on our government to make changes in the law that will prevent sudden heart deaths in young people and thus save the lives of our children. 

'In James' memory we have donated to defibrillators to his school Lisneal College.  These machines can restart the heart by giving an electric shock in some cases of cardiac arrest.  We hope that the defibrillators will never have to be used, but if they are needed, they will be on hand.'