THE family of Redditch teenager Craig Prentice-Underwood have paid tribute to ‘one in a million’ praising his loyalty, generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment.

The son of campaigners Robert and Maggie Underwood, 17-year-old Craig died on Tuesday, December 10 as a result of what is believed to have been a heart attack.

His sister Charlotte Marie had died in December 2010 aged 16 from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) and the family had actively campaigned to have life-saving defibrillators placed in schools and public buildings around Redditch in her memory.

Craig’s funeral took place on Thursday, December 18 with 100s of people attending and the coffin carried in a motorbike sidecar, hinting at Craig’s great love of motorbikes.

The family has also received thousands of tributes online from all over the world, and money donated at the funeral service has gone toward the purchase of a memorial bench to be named ‘hench bench’ after Craig’s favourite word and nickname ‘Hench’. The family will decide where to place the bench after the new year.

Robert Underwood said: “The past week has been an emotional roller coaster for us as a family. Receiving a Pride of Redditch award, which we received in honour of Craig for all the hard work and dedication he had done in his sister Charlotte’s memory.

“Then to attend another award ceremony at the TAGB to receive a trophy for Student of the Year and Craig’s honorary black belt in Tae Kwon Do, which we were so proud to receive in his memory.

“Our hearts have been shattered and every time we try to rebuild them there is always two pieces missing. We will be taking a break, but believe us we will be back and fighting harder in the memory of Charlotte who gave us the clue to this evil silent killer and for Craig who was failed badly. SADS will NOT destroy our family.”

The family spoke of Craig’s love of food, and his enthusiasm for baking, with a career planned in catering.

Craig was a very active part of the family’s campaigning activity, helping to establish the Redditch Heart Safe Charlotte Marie Trust, and he devoted time and energy to raising funds and awareness all over Worcestershire for the charity.

A spokesman for the family said: “He touched so many people’s lives with his caring and kind attitude and the sheer determination in his charity work you can’t help but admire him and be inspired by all he stood for and everything he did.

“He was a truly amazing young man.”