A remarkable family who have dedicated themselves to helping others following the death of their 13-year-old girl are fundraising again. 

Laura Fox was found dead in the bedroom of her family’s home in Woodbridge in 1998.  Tests later revealed the apparently healthy girl had died from sudden adult death syndrome – a heart problem that claims between four and eight young people’s lives a week in the UK. 

Her parents Robi and Kate, of Borrett Place, Woodbridge, have already raised thousands of pounds to help diagnose the devastating condition.  Now Laura’s twin brother, Mark, 20, is to set off on a nine-day trek across the Sahara Desert to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a charity which works with doctors to promote the condition and enhance screening facilities. 

Mark said: “I have never known anyone as sporty and healthy as my sister, so it was a wake-up call that this could happen to people like her. 

“But that’s the problem, it can happen to anyone.  That is why CRY is so important because we can raise money to test people for the problem and do something about it.” 

Mark will make the trek in March with around 20 others who will also be raising money for various charities.  He must carry out the whole trek on foot, but will be given a camel to load up with any luggage he will be taking. 

“I am quite a fit person, so I am not that bothered about the walking, but I am worried about the heat,” said Mark. 

"I do not cope well in the heat and get dehydrated very quickly.  So the challenge will be more to do with how I combat the heat – and of course how well I can get on with my camel.” 

Three years ago Laura’s parents raised £12,000 for an ECG machine for Framfield House doctors’ surgery in St John Street, Woodbridge. 

Mr Fox, a police officer with Suffolk Constabulary, and a group of friends also completed the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in 36 hours.