THE father of a schoolboy who died of an undetected heart condition is supporting a pioneering initiative to offer cardiac screening to all teenagers.

Jack Maddams, pictured, of Georgian Way, Gillingham, was just days away from his 18th birthday when he suffered a fatal heart attack in March 2008, brought on by a rare disease.

Jack’s father Roger has welcomed a programme, announced to MPs today (Weds), that will see all 14-year-olds across the south east being offered free heart screening. It will focus on 14-year-olds because post puberty is the earliest age that provocative screening is viable.

It is hoped the regional initiative will help pave the way for a national programme in the future.

The scheme has been launched by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). Jack’s family has supported CRY since his death, raising more than £12,000 through football matches, sky dives, half marathons and other events.

Roger Maddams, 48, said: “I fully support a programme like this. Even if it detected just one case, that is saving one family from the heartache we went through.”

For full story see Friday's Medway Messenger.