DURING the past 12 months, countless people from across and beyond Gwent have dug deep to help an appeal that could save young lives.

Jack's Appeal, led by the Argus and Jack Thomas's parents June and Grant, aims to raise enough money to provide all 43 secondary schools in Gwent and the Rhymney Valley with a defibrillator.

The generosity of you, our readers, has been such that more than £21,000 has been raised for the appeal through donations and events in the year since it was launched.

A further £10,000 contribution this week, through public health funding provided by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, means that only around £3,000 more is required.

Now we are asking for people to help a final fundraising push to provide the funds still required.

Jack Thomas, from Oakdale, was just 15 years old when he died in February 2012 while watching a rugby match at his girlfriend's home in Newbridge, after suddenly feeling unwell. A specific cause of death could not be identified.

Mr and Mrs Thomas subsequently set up CRY in the Valleys: Jack Thomas Memorial Fund, to help the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, which backs the provision of heart screening in schools.

Jack's Appeal was set up in conjunction with the Argus following the couple's presentation of a defibrillator to their son's school, Oakdale comprehensive, in autumn 2013.

To date, 19 schools have received defibrillators through the appeal, and funding is now available to supply the majority of those remaining.

Defibrillators, which cost close to £1,000 each, deliver an electric charge to the heart to help restore normal heart rhythm to a person in cardiac arrest.

Increasing numbers of such machines are being provided at leisure centres, shopping centres and community venues, and Mr and Mrs Thomas feel that schools should have them too.

Since the appeal started, many schools have held fundraising events to support it and individuals, companies, community groups, pubs and other organisations held their own events, or simply made a donation.

If you would like to help fundraise for Jack’s Appeal, get involved on the new website, called Remembering Jack, at www.rememberingjack.co.uk.

You can also donate by visiting www.welshhearts.org/jacksappeal. Alternatively, donate by sending a cheque payable to 'Welsh Hearts' to Temple Court, 13a Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9HA. Put the reference 'Jack Thomas defibs appeal' on the back of the envelope.