A EURO MP has joined forces with two Rotherham mums who lost their sons in unexplained circumstances to call for more research to be carried out.

Linda McAvan, one of the Yorkshire and Humberside MEPs is asking the World Health Organisations to change the way it records cases of either cot death or so-called Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.

Ms McAvan says there is no international standard for recording such deaths at the moment and as a result, researchers are not able to build up an accurate picture.

Official figures suggest there are between four and eight explained deaths each week in the UK alone although campaigners fear the real figure could be much higher.

At the launch of her campaign outside Rotherham Town Hall she was joined by Jean Johnson and Julie Carder, whose sons died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and the Mayor and Mayoress of Rotherham, Cllr and Mrs Richard Russell.

Ms McAvan added: “We need to find out if there is a common factor, for instance if these deaths are more prevalent among boys.

“Cot deaths have reduced in number of 70% in the last ten years, after they were defined as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the risk factors identified.

“We don’t know if this campaign would result in the same dramatic effect, but we are asking for guidance offered to pathologists in different countries.”

MUMS SHARE SADS TRAUMA

Jean Johnson and Julie Carder have both suffered the trauma of losing children to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.

Jean (54) of Wickersley, was devastated by the unexpected death of 21-year-old Craig in November last year and just nine months earlier Julie Carder had lost her 15 –year-old son Ryan Bothamley to the same condition.

Jean said: “Craig had just gone off to Sheffield Hallam University and he was talking to a friend in the car. 

“The two of them got out of the car and Craig said he felt dizzy and just collapsed.  It just makes you wonder what sets it off.”

Julie (44) also of Wickersley said: “Until the government gets the correct statistics they cannot carry out screening.  For instance, no-one checks children’s hearts.

“Children are protected now against things – why can’t they be called to the GPs for ECGs maybe at the age of 11 and again at 16.

“It’s like a time bomb waiting to go off at any moment.  We need to get our children screened, it’s the only way that we can stop some of these tragedies happening.

“People ought to be made more aware.”

Jean said: “We have been asked to come along and sign this document.