Kathy Moyle, from East Budleigh, has helped launch a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of a rare genetic heart condition that has decimated her family. 

Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome has already claimed the lives of two of Kathy’s daughters, Pauline and Rosaleen, and her 17-year-old grandson Matthew. 

Now the faces of Pauline and Matthew are being used as part of a hard-hitting campaign postcard designed by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, CRY. 

Kathy said: “There are eight people on the cards.  They represent the eight people that die of Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome every week.  It’s difficult seeing Pauline’s and Matthew’s faces on the postcard.  But it’s something positive.  I’m glad to know their deaths weren’t in vain.  We’re making progress raising awareness of Sudden Death Syndrome. 

“The CRY campaign will increase awareness of Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome and Long QT, a genetic disorder, and that’s half the battle – if you don’t know about it, how can you ask any questions?” 

The postcards will be sent to MP’s throughout the country, including East Devon MP, Hugo Swire.  CRY aims to generate enough support to ensure the Cardiac Risk in the Young Bill, which focuses on better screening, is passed by Parliament.  The bill is committed to reducing the number of people who die from heart conditions through improved and increased screening of the close relatives of those already diagnosed. 

The chief executive of CRY, Alison Cox, said: “The aim of the campaign is to make MP’s aware of CRY and its work and to ensure they support the bill in Parliament.  If the bill is passed all first-degree relatives of those diagnosed with Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome would have access to free screening and it could save many, many lives.”