A POSTER campaign to prevent deaths caused by a single punch has received a boost from a County Durham School this morning (Tuesday).

Maxine Thompson, the mother of Kristian Thompson, who died after being hit once at a Consett nightclub in 2010, presented wristbands to students from Oaks School, Rock Road, Spennymoor for their ‘One Punch Can Kill’ posters.

The former Tanfield School and Durham Sixth Form pupil received a catastrophic brain injury and remained in a coma for seven days following the attack in September 2010. He died on July 10, 2011, aged only 19.

One Punch North East, spearheaded by Mrs Thompson, works with a variety of agencies to educate people of the risks and consequences of making a split-second decision to engage in violence.

PC Claire McNancy, the alcohol harm reduction unit officer for Durham Constabulary, said to the children: “I hope it is a message you all can think about if you get into an argument. All we ask you to do is stop, think and walk away.”

Patrick Frain, who leads the school’s social education said: “The reason this campaign has had such an impact on them is that this is real.

“Maxine and Tony are ordinary, real people and Kristian was just an ordinary lad. This one, random act has totally changed their lives - and sadly taken Kristian’s.”

Tony Curl, Maxine’s partner, who also presented wristbands, said: “The campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of what one punch can do. Maxine’s the proof of that. She lost her son. That one act has devastated so many lives.”

He said that the appeal had been most successful with school children but they are also keen to work with other groups.

The campaigning couple have also worked with National Pubwatch - which works with police to make pubs safer – and Consett Street Friends, which helps those going for a night out avoid trouble.

Mrs Thompson, of Whitburn, South Tyneside, said: “As well as having an impact on children we want to have an impact on adults as well.”

She praised all nine competition winners, and made a plea for funding to help the campaign move forward.

Mr Curl added: “We need backing, a commercial company, a big organisation to come on board. It would be good publicity for them as well as for us. That’s what’s stopping us a little bit at the moment.”

For more about the campaign go to: onepunchnortheast.org.uk