A family doctor who is passionate about preventing tragedies like the sudden death of a Marlow schoolboy will stage special heart screenings this weekend.

Shona Lockie, a GP at Marlow Surgery on Victoria Road, wants to help identify heart problems in young people, after the 17-year-old Great Marlow School pupil Nathan Foley died suddenly in 2013 while playing football.

Dr Lockie, who has a history in paediatrics, says she has seen the devastating effects of cardiac failure in children, especially those involved in high level sport.

And with two sporty teenage sons at school in Marlow, the concerned mother is hosting charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) at her surgery this weekend.

She said: "As a GP I have seen the effects of children suffering from serious heart conditions. I didn’t know Nathan myself, but being such a big shock locally it really struck home for me.

"I have two teenage boys myself around the same age and want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to be screened.

"I feel passionately that children, especially those doing high level sport and lots of activity should be given the chance.

"My number one task is that if we pick up just one problem and prevent a death that is just fantastic, no matter what the cost is."

Figures from national charity CRY reveal at least 12 young people die suddenly every week in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions.

The risk of heart conditions in otherwise fit young people hit the headlines in 2012 when footballer Fabrice Muamba suffered a heart attack on the pitch at White Hart Lane and came close to death.

Marlow Olympic hero and CRY patron Sir Steve Redgrave has also backed the campaign, having witnessed his best friend and crewmate Robert Hayley die of a cardiac abnormality when he was just 17.

Sir Steve said: "I am pleased to be a Patron of CRY having had first hand experience of the impact of such a death.

"That memory is always with me. Supporting CRY’s work is something I am delighted to be part of."

This weekend’s event is supported by Marlow Hockey Club and Marlow Sports Club on Pound Lane, home to over 2000 sportsmen and women and where Dr Lockie helped install an emergency defibrillator in 2013.

And both Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School and Great Marlow have also thrown their support behind Dr Lockie’s project, after Nathan’s death sent shockwaves through the Marlow community when the otherwise healthy teenager collapsed while playing football at school nearly two years ago. 

Dr Lockie, 46, who has practised at the Marlow surgery since 2007, will run the screenings from the surgery on Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 4pm in conjunction with CRY.

The screening involves an ECG scan and questionnaire, and in some cases an ‘ECHO’ ultrasound of the heart.

Any problems flagged up will be referred to cardiologists.

The screenings cost £45,  with the money going to the CRY charity and a small amount to Marlow Hockey Club who helped arrange the event.

To book a place, contact shonalockie@btinternet.com