THE family of a Risca man who died from a heart condition on his 22nd birthday are continuing to help raise money for a charity that heightens awareness about undetected cardiac failure in the young.

Craig Powell’s dad, Mark Powell, mum, Helen, and family and friends took part earlier this month in the Heart of London Bridges Walk to raise money for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), and now they have organised a second charity football tournament in his memory.

Craig Powell died on May 29, 2008, while working in Swindon as an asbestos contractor, unaware he had a heart defect – myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle caused by a minor infection.

Mark Powell has urged more people to undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) which checks heart function, and believes every child from comprehensive school age should have an ECG, as well as all football teams.

“The walk was really good.

“We don’t know how much we’ve raised yet, but hundreds of people take part and they’ve raised £50,000 or £60,000 in other years,” said Mr Powell.

Last year’s memorial football tournament was a big success, with 800 people turning up, including former Welsh international footballer Terry Yorath.

The family wanted to make it into an annual event and so have organised another sixa- side tournament and fun day this Sunday, July 31, at Ty Isaf Park, Risca, from 10am. More than 40 teams, involving children and adults, will take part. Other activities include a wrestling show, climbing wall, rodeo bulls, petting animals, and an inflatable assault course.

Local bands including Fourth Street Traffic, the Tom Hollister Trio, Dead Radio and Nine Trips will play when the tournament finishes at around 5pm. Entrance for non-players costs £2 for adults and £1 for under-16s.