Blackwood's MP Don Touhig became the one hundredth member of the number one British charity for reducing Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). 

Mr Touhig joined the All-Party-Parliamentary Group (APPG) of the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity due to the experience of one of his constituents, Barry Rowland. 

Mr Rowland's wife died from sudden cardiac death syndrome. 

He said: "Until my wife Donna died in December 2005, I was unaware of sudden cardiac death syndrome.  But contact with the charity has made me eager to make others aware. 

"I am pleased that my MP, Don Touhig, has joined the committee in support of not only myself but all those who have lost loved ones to sudden adult death."

The APPG for CRY spans the three major political parties and is an influential force within parliament. 

Mr Touhig, MP for Islwyn, said: "I am delighted to join the group.  I know that CRY has done a tremendous job in providing support to families as well as raising awareness of SDS in the young. 

"I look forward to working with other Parliamentary colleagues to continue this good work." 

Mr Touhig has joined the campaign to raise awareness of SDS. 

So far, CRY estimates that it has made 65 per cent of the public aware of the condition, which affects people aged under 35.  The charity also found that 30 per cent of people they spoke to knew a young person who had died from SDS or an unexplained cause. 

Alison Cox, chief executive of CRY, said: "I am passionately committed to raising awareness of Cardiac Risk in the Young, and the APPG is a key factor in the progress we have made." 

What is SAD?

Sudden Cardiac Death (SDS) is an umbrella term used for the many different causes of cardiac arrest in people under 35.

Sudden Cardiac Death is defined as "an event that is non-traumatic, non-violent, unexpected, and resulting from sudden cardiac arrest within six hours of previously witness normal health."  (Sharma et al, 1997, Br J Sports Med).