Monitor in loving memory

Patients at a Wearside medical centre could be saved from the type of condition that robbed a family of their son.

Student Jimmy Wilson, who was just 24, died in his sleep from a rare heart condition. His parents have pledged to do all they can to prevent others suffering the same tragedy.

Since Jimmy's death on January 2, 2004, family, friends and neighbours Helmdon, Sulgrave, Washington, have been raising funds and awareness for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

The charity wants the Government to introduce a heart screening programme for children and teenagers.

Apart from the thousands of pounds they have raised for CRY, Jimmy's mum Ann has been fund-raising for Jimmy's doctor's surgery – by baking cakes.

She spent enough time over the hot stove to raise the money for a 24-hour blood pressure monitor for the surgery.

Ann handed over the monitor to Dr Karuna Saravanamuttu at the Victoria Road Health Centre in Concord, Washington.

Ann, 50, said: "She is so pleased with it. There has been a small plaque added on to the case in memory of Jimmy.

"I was so pleased I could raise the money for it through baking cakes. I feel like I have done something for my son and his memory.

Jimmy, a 6ft 6in computer buff in his first year of a degree course at Northumbria University, was a keen cyclist who biked up to 50 miles a day and spent his spare time at the gym.

But his rare heart condition cut his life short.

Ann said: "It has been a terrible loss. Part of me died that morning when I went to wake him and found him dead and the heartbreaking sight of his dad trying to resuscitate him.

"I may not have been able to save my beloved son, but as long as I have a breath in my body I will try not to let other parents go through the same heartbreak."