Caffeine and cakes have helped to raise funds for a charity that deals with cardiac risk in the young. 

The residents of Roddenbury Close, in Frome, have raised £135 during a coffee morning and raffle in their community day centre. 

This week, the residents presented a cheque to Shirley Wort, Frome's fundraiser for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY|). 

Mrs Wort, of the Critchill Estate, is the mother of Julian, who died unexpectedly in his sleep seven years ago of a rare and undiagnosed heart condition. 

"Since his death, Mrs Wort has fundraised tirelessly for the Julian Wort Memorial Fund and the national charity CRY.

"We have raised more than £22,000 since our sad loss of Julian in March 2000," explained Mrs Wort.

"That has enabled us, through CRY, to donate electro-cardiograph machines to Frome Victoria Hospital and Frome Medical Practice, as well as one defibrillator to the Minor Injuries Department at the hospital.

"We are so grateful to everyone at Roddenbury Close for raising £135 for CRY and Julian's memorial fund, as this will now go towards our efforts in trying to raise £3,000 for another defibrillator for the Minor Injuries Department. 

"I really enjoyed being invited to Roddenbury Close's coffee morning to have a cup of tea, but I also really enjoyed receiving their cheque.  It was a great effort and everyone at CRY is go grateful." 

The £135 means that Mrs Wort has now passed the £1,000 mark towards buying the next defibrillator. 

Mrs Wort said: "It is widely acknowledged that many of the hundreds of sudden deaths which occur every year in the UK could be prevented if simple, cardiac screening was made more accessible. 

"We are appealing to any clubs, pubs or organisations in Frome that would like to support us, once again, in our fundraising for a defibrillator." 

Anyone who can help Mrs Wort should telephone 01373 471 309.