AN OAKDALE teenager discovered she had a hole in her heart following screenings held at her school arranged by the family of former pupil Jack Thomas, who died suddenly of an undetected heart problem.

Ellie Davies, 14, was among more than 100 pupils, teachers and relatives of Jack who had their hearts screened at Oakdale Comprehensive School on June 6 this year, on what would have been his 18th birthday.

Taekwondo star Jack was 15 years old when he died suddenly at his girlfriend’s house in Newbridge in February 2012. His family are yet to find out what exactly caused his death, but believe it to be associated with a possible arrhythmia.

A few months after his death, his parents, Grant and June Thomas, set up a memorial fund in Jack’s memory through the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), which has raised a remarkable £35,000, and was responsible for holding the heart screenings in June.

The Argus has also since teamed up with Mr and Mrs Thomas to launch a separate campaign, Jack’s Appeal, which has raised nearly £15,000 and aims to get heart defibrillators into every secondary school in Gwent and the Rhymney Valley.

But in June, Croespenmaen teen Ellie was shocked to discover not only she had a hole in her heart, but was also diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome – a heart condition that can cause the heart to beat abnormally fast.

Her parents, Richard and Claire, said her condition would never have been discovered if it were not for the screenings held that day.

Mrs Davies, 39, said: “It was a major shock when we found – I was more upset than anything. We had no reason to suspect that something was wrong.

“Ellie was so shocked when she came home. You never expect your child to be the one to have found something.

“We are majorly grateful because now we can act on it and hopefully she can carry on with a normal life.”

The Davies family are now waiting for Ellie to be referred to a cardiologist for further tests, where they will ask whether her younger brother, 11-year-old Lewis, who started at Oakdale Comp this month, should also be tested.

Mrs Davies added: “It goes without saying that [Jack’s death] was awful but what his mother’s doing now is fantastic. I think Jack’s Appeal is wonderful and anything we can do to raise awareness can help save someone’s life. Like I said, we probably would never have found out about Ellie’s condition otherwise.”

June Thomas said: “This is proof that heart screenings are needed and I’m just glad it has helped Ellie and her family. If Jack would have been screened then maybe he would still be with us.”

* There is now an easier way for Argus readers to donate by going online to welshhearts.org/jacksappeal.

Otherwise, people can donate by sending cheques payable to Welsh Hearts, to Temple Court, 13a Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9HA. Put reference “Jack Thomas defibs appeal” on the back of the envelope.