The faces of Alexander Edwards and Justin Meek will be used to raise awareness of the condition that killed them. 

Alexander, 12, and Justin, 33, both died suddenly from undiagnosed heart conditions.  Their pictures will be used on a postcard supporting a national campaign by charity CRY.  CRY, which stands for Cardiac Risk in the Young, wants screening to be available to youngsters so underlying heart conditions are picked up early. 

Alexander’s mum Rachel and Justin’s sister Lucinda will attend the launch of the postcard at Cheltenham College Junior School on Thursday.  The card will also feature six other victims of the condition.  People will be asked to send them to their MP.  Most of the people pictured, who all lived in the South West, had no obvious symptoms or history of bad health. 

CRY says many of the hundreds of sudden deaths which occur every year in the UK could be prevented if cardiac screening was more accessible. 

Alexander died while playing cricket at the school in 1997. 

Rachel, who lives with husband Peter in Withington, will give a speech at the launch. 

She said: “Its to make everyone aware of the risk of this dreadful disease.  I’ll do anything I can to promote it.” 

Justin died in his sleep while at home in Bishampton, near Pershore, in 2001. 

Lucinda, who lives in Puckrup, near Tewkesbury, said: “It was a bolt out of the blue.  It wasn’t as if he’d been ill.  You can have a simple test as a child that can detect whether you’ve got the condition.  Obviously, it will cost money but it will help save lives.” 

Alison Cox, CRY’s founder, said: “By showing some of the faces behind the stories, we can help people begin to understand the heartbreak caused by this cruel killer and highlight the fact that it can happen to anyone, at any time – usually without warning.” 

A new card will be launched every month, portraying victims for 12 regions in the UK. 

The campaign is backed by sporting stars such as cricketer Ian Botham, who is featured on the card. 

Many of the young people affected by sudden cardiac death are often struck while taking part in competitive sport.