CASH raised in the memory of a Frinton teenager who died suddenly just before his 18th birthday could help save the lives of others.

Sports-mad Andrew Gard, from Frinton, tragically suffered sudden heart failure in 1997, caused by a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

The popular former Tendring Technology College student had played hockey for England at under-16 level and his death came as a major shock to the community.

Now donations made in his memory will be used to fund a series of free heart checks for local people aged 14-35 to stop others suffering the same fate.

Andrew’s mum Caroline started campaigning to raise awareness and fund vital screenings after her son’s death, becoming a representative for national charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Since then, money raised in Andrew’s name has helped fund electrocardiogram tests for 1,700 people, organised through the charity.

Now another 100 people are set to benefit from the potentially life-saving checks next month.

Caroline said: “It is really nice for us to still be able to do something positive like this in Andrew’s memory.

“After his death as a family we felt very strongly that we wanted to do something.

“When fundraising took off it became a possibility for us to help a really significant number of people by funding these screenings.

“Over the years we have done a huge number of them now and each one could be vital.”

The electrocardiogram test is non-invasive and monitors the rhythm and activity of the heart to make sure it is working properly with no abnormalities.

Caroline added: “It is nearly 20 years since we lost our son now but the fundraising effort is ongoing and we want to keep helping people.

“It is a huge shock when something like this happens, and it didn’t just affect our family but the whole community.

“You feel helpless, but this is a way we found of doing something positive and people were so generous. Everyone wanted to help.

“Looking at it now, we are proud of what has been done in Andrew’s name, and I think he would be proud too.”

The screening clinic will take place on Saturday October 22 at the Holiday Inn off Abbots Lane in Colchester.

People can register at testmyheart.org.