Two dads are running the London Marathon on Sunday in memory of a "fit and happy" 15-year-old who died suddenly of a hidden heart condition.

Tragic Ben Hammond collapsed last July little more than a week after his 15th birthday.

The country-loving teen, a pupil at Homewood School Tenterden, had just enjoyed a birthday cycling treat with friends at Betteshanger Country Park, Deal, when he fell ill at his home in High Halden.

Doctors at the William Harvey in Ashford battled to save the youngster's life but he died within hours of being admitted.

Now Ben's mum and dad, Steve and Sheralyn and younger brother Archie, 11, together with family and friends are raising funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in a bid to prevent future tragedies.

CRY carries out life-saving screening programmes that detect heart problems and prevent deaths. Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions.

Marathon runners Phil Sweatman, 45, a service manager for CB Motors in Tenterden and graphic designer Nick Vincent, 42, are running the London Marathon for the cause under the banner of Team Ben Hammond.

The runners have raised just over £4,800 so far and if they hit the £5,000 mark it will enable 100 Kent children to be screened for heart defects.

To support the Team Ben Hammond runners click here