Hundreds of young people are to undergo potentially lifesaving heart screenings after more than £40,000 was raised in memory of a much-loved Hartlepool man.

Family and friends of Daniel Cook, who died after a sudden cardiac arrest while at the gym aged just 33, have raised an incredible £46,000 to carry out screening sessions in his name.

They committed to holding a dedicated fundraising event every month for a year and included gruelling challenges such as the Great North Run, mountain climbs and a golf day.

Now the first screenings of young people aged between 14 and 35 in Hartlepool are to be held at Dan’s former school High Tunstall College of Science.

Lesley Perkins next to a photo of her late son Daniel Cook who died of a sudden cardiac arrest aged just 33.

placeholder image — Lesley Perkins next to a photo of her late son Daniel Cook who died of a sudden cardiac arrest aged just 33.

One hundred people a day are due to be tested on June 30 and July 31 with national heart charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Dan’s mum, Lesley Perkins, said: “We felt we wanted to do something so Daniel didn’t die in vain.

“I feel very proud that we have achieved this as a family and immensely proud that it’s going to happen in his name."

Dan’s loss was particularly tragic as he was a fit and healthy young man with a job he loved in London in the aviation industry. He was due to be married just ten weeks later.

Dan was highly valued at Victor Aviation who he worked for in London.

As with so many people his age, there were no warning signs of the undiagnosed heart condition he had.

Lesley, 61, of West Park, said: “It was just absolutely out of the blue. If Daniel had been screened he would be here now.

"It would have been spotted and it could have been treated.”

More than 12 young people aged 14-35 die every week in the UK but there is currently no national screening programme.

Hartlepool's Evolve Gym in Burn Road saw an incredible turnout for the first of 12 monthly challenges in memory of Dan Cook.

It’s why Dan’s family, including brothers Dean, 17, and Thomas, 23, and dad Robin, have been working closely with CRY to raise money and awareness.

At the High Tunstall event, CRY will carry out 15-minute electrocardiograms and anyone in need of further help will be referred on the day.

Dan’s family are looking to expand the screenings elsewhere in the town and are also supporting a national screening petition which can be found at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750999

Details the Hartlepool screenings and how to sign up are expected to be announced in the coming weeks at www.c-r-y.org.uk/screening