Two mothers who share a tragic bond are playing a central role in a national campaign to raise awareness of heart disorders and prevent deaths.

Anne Jolly and Penny Hurrell each lost their eldest child to sudden adult death syndrome and have joined forces to promote an awareness week and seek national targets for the diagnosis and treatment of heart problems affecting the 'electrics' of the heart.

Anne, of Rowhedge, Brentwood, founded the Ashley Jolly Sudden Adult Death Trust (SADS UK) charity following the death of her 16-year-old son in 1998.

Penny's daughter Louise, 12, died suddenly at home in Billericay last February and she is determined to do all she can to prevent others experiencing her family's nightmare.

Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles tabled a series of parliamentary questions on sudden adult death syndrome following a meeting with the women at one of his surgeries.

As a result Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health Melanie Johnson has announced that the guidance issued to health professionals is under review.

Now Anne and Penny are gearing up for Arrhythmia Awareness Week on May 12.

SADS UK has joined forces with The Cardiomyopathy Association, The British Cardiac Patients Association and Stars (Syncope Trust And Anoxic Reflex Seizures) for the event.

It will be launched from the Houses of Parliament by Sir Roger Moore, who experienced a cardiac arrhythmia when on stage, and was fortunate to be fitted with a pacemaker. He will be speaking about the importance of diagnosis and treatment.

Anne and Penny want people to support the campaign by writing to their local MP.

Penny, 43, of Crescent Close, Billericay, said: "It's early days for us yet. I have had a lot of contact with Anne and I felt inspired to help as much as possible. We want to raise awareness as much as possible."

Louise, a pupil at Billericay School, suffered a cardiac arrest at home.

Although she was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome - a condition that produces cardiac arrhythmias - as a toddler, her parents were assured it was perfectly innocent, required no treatment and she was discharged from hospital care.

Penny, who runs an electrical contracting business with husband, Keith, said: "On the day she died, Louise had been out with her guide group and was doing a sleep over. I had a call to say she felt unwell and brought her home. I told her to rest and suddenly she had a cardiac arrest.

"It was the literature of SADS UK that fully informed me of Louise's condition, information that I did not have before."

Published Thursday January 22, 2004

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