Support for Family Hit by Son’s Sudden Death

The mother of a 15-year-old boy who collapsed and died from an undetected heart condition has praised MP Richard Taylor for supporting her campaign to get checks she hopes could save other youngsters made law.

Diane Tolley is urging people to write to their own MPs asking them to back the Cardiac Risk in the Young (Screening) Bill.

Mrs Tolley lost her son, Robert Poysor to Sudden Death Syndrome almost eight years ago.

In a letter to Mrs Tolley Doctor Taylor pledged his support telling her he agreed that screening should be offered to close relatives of children known to have suffered one of several conditions connected to Sudden Death Syndrome.

He said: “If there is anything I can do I certainly will.  The bill will raise the profile of the problem and can do nothing but good.”

A post mortem revealed the sporty Bewdley High School pupil had an undetected heart condition.

It is known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart wall muscle which stops the heart beating properly.

It is a common cause of Sudden Death Syndrome in children and young adults.

It is estimated up to eight children die suddenly each week in the UK

If the bill, which is due to have its second reading in the House of Commons on March 12, is passed it will mean mandatory screening for children considered to be at high risk, such as the siblings of victims of Sudden Death Syndrome, children whose families have a history of heart problems, and youngsters who have previously shown symptoms, such as fainting.

Since Robert’s death Mrs Tolley, aged 56, of New Road, Wribbenhall, has given support to other families in the West Midlands whose children have suddenly died.