A Ross-shire couple whose 24-year-old daughter died from an undiagnosed heart condition will travel to Holyrood next month to highlight the shocking statistic that 12 young people a week lose their lives from sudden cardiac death. 

Fraser and Alex Fotheringham from Ullapool lost their daughter Joanne in 1997 when the young primary teacher died suddenly in her sleep. 

Since the death of their only child the Fotheringham's have raised tens of thousands of pounds in the local community for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) through a special fund in Joanne's name. 

They are now involved in helping to launch a major  campaign to highlight the figure that shows that 12 young people a week fall victim to sudden cardiac death, a 50 per cent rise on previous estimates. 

Joanne's photograph appears on the campaign's emotive new postcard - featuring the photos of 12 young people who lost their lives to previously undetected heart conditions.  A poster size version of the card will be unveiled by CRY at a ceremony at the Scottish Parliament on December 1, which the Fotheringham's will be attending. 

Mr Fotheringham  told the Journal: "We want to try to raise awareness of adult cot deaths and the work CRY does as there are so many young lives being lost." 

She said they wanted the "really serious situation" recognised by the Government and the need for cardiac screening in young people to be addressed. 

"I have been told by a very well known cardiologist that had Joanne been screened before, there was a possibility it would have been picked up," she said. 

Mrs Fotheringham said her daughter may have had an irregular heartbeat which might have been identified by screening, but nothing could be detected after her death. 

The family have been involved in holding two mobile cardiac screenings in Ullapool and Stornoway and are planning another one in their home village in June next year for locals aged 16 to 30.  They have also raised money to buy special cardio equipment for local medical surgeries. 

Joanne was on a trip to Glasgow with her boyfriend Donald when she passed away. 

The keen piper was educated in Ullapool and an honours student in Aberdeen before going on to teach both Gaelic and English in Babyle School, Lewis. 

A memorial garden was built at the school for her and continues to be maintained as a community garden.

CRY chief executive Alison Cox MBE said: "As the recorded incidence of sudden death rises it is timely for us to return to Scotland to re-launch this powerful campaign as a way of emphasising the importance of screening.  These 12 faces are just a 'snap-shot' of the problem and we need to keep up the pressure and engage support from as many MSPs and MPs as possible to ensure we are doing everything we can to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies." 

Sudden cardiac death is an umbrella term for a number of different heart conditions that affect fit and healthy people which, if not treated, can result in spontaneous death. 

In about 1 in 20 cases of sudden cardiac death, no recognised cause can be found. 

Ms Cox paid tribute to the Fotheringham for becoming involved in an important campaign.