A money-raising mum has handed over a cheque in memory of her son to a London Hospital which screens people for a range of potentially fatal heart defects.

Marilyn Cullum was among 130 invited guests at the official launch of a new screening unit at Brompton Hospital, funded by heart charity Cry (Cardiac Risk in the Young). 

Mrs Cullum of Green Lane, Bradwell, handed over a cheque for £764.53 raised at a coffee morning in memory of her son Simon who died suddenly, probably from an undiagnosed heart condition, aged 29 last summer. 

She was given a tour of the new unit which screens for hi9dden heart defects, said to be responsible for the deaths of eight apparently fit and healthy young people every week. 

She said: "it was very emotional to start with but I am so glad that I went, I met some really lovely people.

"It was okay when I first arrived but there were posters showing some of the young people who had died and that was quite emotional. 

"It was nice to speak to people in the same position.

"I spoke to one chap whose daughter was two when she died and a lady whose daughter had graduated from UAE and died during a gap year in Australia with her boyfriend." 

Mrs Cullum met specialist cardiac pathologist Dr Mary Sheppard who tested Simon's heart after he died and had a tour of the lab where even small pieces of equipment can cost £20,000. 

She hopes to speak to Tony Wright MP about raising awareness of Sudden Adult Death in Parliament at his Gorleston surgery today.