A NEW book raising awareness of a potentially fatal heart-related illnesses is using a story from Congresbury to help promote it.

James Bailey, aged 22, is one of 10 people working on the book alongside the Cardiac Risk In The Young (CRY) charity.

He said: “My diagnosis in itself was a fluke. I almost didn’t bother going along to the CRY screening being held at my school as I was only 17 and I had better things to do.

“But, I look back now and realise how lucky I was.

“Eight months later, I was cured. I could play football again and my parents could relax.

“But that doesn’t mean my life wasn’t turned upside down. It took me ages not to panic if my heart ever started racing.

“The physical scars may have healed quickly but it still felt strange that everything had seemingly gone back to normal, whilst I was at the same time being acutely aware that things could have turned out so differently.”

James’ work with CRY has allowed him to run with the Olympic Torch and speak at Parliament about the charity’s work.

An estimated one in 300 young people tested by CRY are found to have a potentially life-threatening condition.

The book is being launched at a ceremony in the House of Commons this week.

Double Olympic gold medallist Tom James also tells his story of how he recovered from been diagnosed with a heart defect, to taking the top step at London 2012.