The parents of a teenager killed by a heart defect ten years ago are gaining increasing support for their campaign for nationwide screening.

Four MPs from across the political divide in East Sussex have now backed Nigel and Jenny Cole’s crusade.  The Coles, of Victoria Drive, Old Town, Eastbourne, believe a widespread screening programme could prevent hundreds of deaths a year.

Their son, Jeremy, was 14 when he suddenly collapsed and died of sudden cardiac syndrome (Sads) in 1995.  The condition develops in children and young people and can lie dormant before striking with few symptoms.

The Coles have backed a campaign to make Sads as commonly known as meningitis so parents can pick up warning signs.  They have produced a postcard with charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (Cry) featuring photographs of eight young Sads victims, including Jeremy.

To bolster their campaign, they have enlisted East Sussex Tory MPs Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne), Charles Hendry (Wealden) and Greg Barker (Bexhill and Battle).  Now they have gained backing from Lewes Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker.

Mr Cole said, “We are really pleased to get a broad base of support.

“Screening is not expensive, somewhere in the region of £10, so we are determined to get as much backing as possible.”

Sufferers may experience breathlessness, chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness and fainting attacks but some have no symptoms.