A charity battling to raise awareness of a silent killer which led to the deaths of at least two young people in Lancashire is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Cardiac Risk in the Young has supported the families of Louise Worth and Andrew Parr, who both died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome caused by undetected heart conditions.
Louise, 17, was “fine and chatting” to her mother before going to have an afternoon lie down in her room at their home in Spring Meadow, Clayton-le-Woods, on June 1, 2004. But less than three hours later her mother Susan found her lying unresponsive.
Andrew, of Whittle Green, Woodplumpton, had complained of indigestion for around three weeks before he collapsed while on a night out at Tokyo Jo’s in Church Street, Preston, in April 2004. At an inquest it was revealed he had suffered a heart attack three weeks before his death.
Mum Ruth still believes his life could have been saved if money was invested in screening young people for potential cardiac problems, and is campaigning for better awareness of sudden adult death syndrome and the importance of cardiac screening among young people.
Both mums are supporters of CRY, which wants to raise £12,000 to bring a mobile heart-screening unit to Preston.
To mark its 10th anniversary it is selling a book of inspirational celebrity quotes. 101 Reasons to Get Up in the Morning, is £7.99 and is published by Canterbury Press.
Sue Jarvis, Louise’s mother, said: “The charity raises awareness of cardiac conditions that kill eight young people each week. The book is a tribute to other families like mine who have suffered similar tragedies.”
