A mother hopes the first mobile cardiac screening programme in North Wales on Saturday may save lives.

Doreen Harley lost one daughter to a killer gene – but saved her other daughter after she persuaded her to undergo tests which showed she was at risk.

Now Mrs Harley hopes the mobile screening organised by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) will have warned others they are at risk.

Mrs Harley, from Connah’s Quay is the North Wales representative for CRY and has campaigned tirelessly to introduce screening.

Her daughter Lisa Jane Browne, a 27-year-old nurse, became a victim of sudden young cardiac death in January 1998.

The family discovered eventually that she had Long QT Syndrome.  Her alarm going off one morning caused the abnormal gene to stop her heart.

Mrs Harley and husband Terry were both screened following Lisa’s death and Terry was diagnosed with the same condition which he keeps under control through medication.

Last March the same tragedy almost struck the family again when Mrs Harley’s other daughter, Nurse Rachel Willn, 30, was woken suddenly by the shouting and screaming of her two-year-old son Adam.

Fortunately she had taken her mum’s advice, been tested and because the medication was not suitable for her, underwent surgery for an implantable cardioverter defibrillator/pacemaker (ICD).

When Rachel woke suddenly her heart stopped and she blacked out but the ICD kick-started her heart again.  Rachel had her own children tested for the condition and discovered her eldest son Jack, six, also has Long QT Syndrome/

All this spurred Mrs Harley to join the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to raise awareness and campaign for a national screening programme.

She has been working with Maureen and Geoff Rutherford of Maeshafn, near Mold, whose adult son Jonathon may have died from a similar condition in January 2002.

Along with Buckley and Mold Lions, the Rutherfords have raised money towards the screening at the weekend.  Scottish Power also contributed £1,000 for the screening, which cost £6,666 but was offered free to 37 applicants, aged 14-35.  It was staged, again free of charged at the Beaufort Park Hotel in New Brighton, Mold.

Dr Jayesh Makan, a cardiologist from London, carried out the tests helped by ECG technician Adele Doherty.  Technicians David Oxborough and John Pither helped Tony Hill, CRY representative and screening manager on the day and volunteers Doreen and Terry Harley and Valerie Ashley, Julie Cawdell, Glenda Gomes and Chris Collinson.

Those who were tested will receive results within 15 working days.  Any one found to have an abnormality will get a notice for further tests either at St George’s Hospital in London or a local hospital of their choice.

Mrs Harley said: “It has been proved that screening can save lives.  If my daughter Rachel had not been screened and treated she would not be here today.

“To lose one daughter was devastating and I just feel that Rachel has now been given a second chance of life.

“The screening on Saturday was a hugely successful day.”

Because of the high demand CRY plans a second screening later in the year.  Anyone wanting to reserve a place can contact Mrs Harley

Alyn and Deeside MP, Mark Tami is backing the charity and said: “We have heard many tragic reports of sudden death syndrome in this region and if the mobile unit can help save the life of just one person it will be well worth the visit.