A WORLD-FAMOUS Yorkshire institution has backed a family's permanent memorial to the teenage son who died of a heart attack.

Staff at Bettys Caf Tea Rooms, St Helen's Square, York, have chosen to support the Jamie Bucknell Memorial Fund throughout 2003.

Jamie's parents, Keith and Debbie, and sister, Jodie, set up the fund in memory of Jamie through the charity Cardiac Risk In The Young (CRY).

Their aim is to establish a nationwide heart screening programme for young people. They have raised more than £35,000 since Jamie, 14, died, in November 2001.

With the backing of Bettys, they hope to be able to raise thousands more.

The company has already held a quiz night in aid of CRY, which raised £300, and is planning sponsored swims, raffles and cake bakes.

Keith said: "It is brilliant to have a company with the stature of Bettys supporting us. They are so well-known the world over, extremely high profile, and have a lot of people through the doors every week.

"Any help we get is really welcome. We are trying to raise funds, but trying to raise awareness as well, which is where Bettys' high profile helps."

Keith urged people to carry on organising events and raising funds for CRY.

He thanked an anonymous person who sent CRY £500 cash after a similar appeal in a recent Evening Press article.

He said: "That was a direct response to the article. It was unbelievable, a really touching gesture."

Paula Kaye, branch manager at Bettys York, said: "Staff at Bettys were so moved by Jamie's story that we decided to support the Jamie Bucknell Memorial Fund for the year. We hope to raise more than £2,000 which will be matched by the business to give a grand total of £4,000."

To make a donation to Jamie's Memorial Fund, make cheques out to CRY and send them to: Keith and Debbie Bucknell, 18 Brecks Lane, Strensall, York.

Updated: 10:13 Wednesday, March 19, 2003