The family of a 21-year-old who died from a rare, undiagnosed heart condition has joined with a leading charity in a national campaign to fight Government cuts which, they say, will lead more families to suffer unnecessarily.

Student Laura Hillier collapsed suddenly at her father's doctors' surgery in Blisworth on June 20, 2003.  A post-mortem found she had died from a rare undiagnosed, hereditary heart condition that can kill without any warning and without displaying symptoms. 

Earlier this year Laura's family joined forces with charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) to fight Government proposals to cut parts of the Coroner's and Justice Act 2009, including plans to appoint a chief coroner to standardise the quality of services across the country and allow families the chance to appeal decisions. 

The charity believes axing the chief coroner position will take away "crucial" leadership and perpetuate what it calls the current "postcode lottery" of service given to bereaved families. 

After launching a petition against the proposed cuts earlier this year the charity has now produced a hard-hitting postcard, which it is encouraging people to sign and send to their local MP ahead of a vote in Parliament on September 8. 

Laura's father, Tony Hillier said: "No one can understand the pain and total devastation of losing a child or partner at a young age suddenly and without warning.  Although the days and months that follow are often a blur, you still want answers, and you want them fast.   

"Thankfully, the majority of families are treated with great sensitivity, but sadly, for some, the experience has been appalling.  Many have had to wait months or even years, to find out a cause of death, and their concerns have been treated with little respect. 

"We deserve a coroner's service to help us understand the cause of death of the person who has died.  Families must be kept informed and consulted and their feelings, wishes and expectations must be listened to." 

Alison Cox, chief Executive and founder of CRY said: "We know how important the role of the chief coroner is going to be in empowering the appeals process.  Without anyone to oversee this ancient judicial system it will be impossible to enforce national standards."