His personal trauma of losing a son inspired grieving dad David Jewell to save other lives.
And on Saturday he was joined by dozens more as he led a walk to raise money and most of all awareness towards sudden cardiac death in young people.
In 2001 Damien lost his life. The 28-year-old estate agent, who had been married for more than a year, went to sleep and never woke up.
It was discovered he suffered acute myocarditis - an inflammation of a heart muscle for which there is no preventative medical treatment available.
His dad now wants to ensure no other family suffers a similar tragedy.
Following his retirement, David decided to work with charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which promotes and offers heart-screening programmes and funds medical research, as well as offering bereavement services to families affected by young sudden cardiac death.
He became the charity’s regional representative and last year helped to organise the first-ever North Tyneside Seaside Walk for CRY. The second walk took place on Saturday and David is now promising a third next year.
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David, 70, of Monkseaton, said: “I had Damien in my thoughts when we were walking but, to be honest, he's never far from my mind.
"I get a bit of kick when I talk about him now, because at first I kept it all to myself, it's how I coped. I find it much easier to talk now and this event was all about raising awareness.
"There were over 50 who joined us on the walk and awareness was the key. Sudden cardiac death in young people is a silent killer and statistics show at least 12 healthy youngsters die of this every week. That is 12 too many," added David, who walked with wife Brenda, 63.
The walk covered 3.5 miles each way, starting and finishing at Percy Park Rugby Club, North Shields.
The route followed the seafront going towards Whitley Bay, passing Cullercoats Harbour and the Spanish City Dome, with subsidised refreshments at the Rendezvous Café, on the Whitley Bay promenade, before returning to North Shields.
The event was free to join, with a suggested donation to CRY of £10 per adult.
David added: “When we lost Damien it seemed like the end of the world had occurred.
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“At that time, all I did was just bury myself in my job. I remember going back to work and my colleagues saying ‘What are you doing here David?’
“That was my way of coping.”
Now, 18 years later, he says “it does not get any easier”.
“You never get over something as traumatic and eventful as that,” he added. “You learn to cope with it.
“Now that I have retired, I just want to give something back. I want to help raise awareness of the devastating effect of cardiac issues in the young.”
According to the charity, every week in the UK, at least 12 young people (aged 35 and under) die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
In 80% of these cases, there will have been no warning signs or symptoms, which is why CRY believes that screening is important.
CRY’s pioneering screening programme now tests around 30,000 young people aged 14 to 35 every year.
Dr Steven Cox, chief executive of CRY, added: “The people of the North East have always been so supportive in helping us to spread the word about CRY’s important work in striving to prevent young sudden cardiac death, as well as working with families and young people who have been affected.
“This event was actually born from our very successful Durham Walk, which will mark its 10th anniversary in October this year and it’s wonderful to see local initiatives evolving and reaching out to a new audience.
“The Seaside Walk was inspired by our regional rep David Jewell and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him and his local friends for their ongoing support.”
For more information visit www.c-r-y.org.uk.
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