A family who lost their youngest son suddenly, have raised funds for a second cardiac screening for young people in Cornwall in his memory.

Keen sports fan Martyn Luckett died suddenly at the age of 19 of myocarditis, an undiagnosed heart condition. 

Martyn was staying with his sister Charlotte in Swindon. 

"We had that dreaded phone call at one in the morning, to say that he had passed away suddenly", says his mother, Brenda. 

"After a post mortem there was nothing they could find so we donated his heart to research to help others.  He was a fit, healthy young man and keen motor cycle trials rider, representing the South West Centre on many occasions." 

Brenda says Martyn's death has changed their lives completely, but having always done charity fundraising, they decided to do something positive.  They have raised £26,000 in the last five years and set up a memorial fund in his memory for other people to be tested. 

The Lucketts discovered that a simple and quick ECG test could save the lives of the 12 healthy young people who die each week in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions. 

The charity - Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) - encourages young people between the ages of 14 and 35 to get screened, particularly if they are engaged in sport. 

CRY will be holding the first community ECG screening in Bude at Parkhouse Centre on February 26 and 27 where any fit and healthy young person can go and get tested. 

Donations made in memory of Martyn will fund the appointments, which would usually cost £35 per person. 

Dr Steven Cox, CRY's Director of Screening explains: 

"The death of a young person is heartbreaking and devastating for any family.  At CRY, we would encourage all families to have their children screened for any underlying heart conditions. 

"Every week 12 young people die in the UK and one in every 300 apparently fit and healthy young people have a serious underlying condition. 

"Minor cardiac abnormalities will be identified in 1 per cent of people, although not life threatening they will have a long term impact if not identified.  It is essential that anyone with a condition knows about it.  If they continue to participate in sport or take particular medication for example, they could be putting their lives at risk.  They may not show any symptoms or warning signs." 

A simple ECG (electrocardiogram) test will identify most of these abnormalities.  the test is quick and painless. If necessary a further echocardiogram (ultrasound scan of the heart) can be taken for further clarity.