The Argus - 8th July 2006 

Comedian David Walliams was joined by a Sussex MP to raise awareness of cardiac risk in young people.

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, joined the Little Britain star at the annual Parliamentary Reception of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). 

Walliams, who has just swum the Channel for charity in little over ten hours, is CRY's newest patron and he attended the event to raise awareness of its work in preventing Sudden Cardiac Death. 

Mr Loughton said at the reception: "The invaluable work of CRY's patrons and supporters has been truly remarkable in raising both funds and awareness of Young Sudden Cardiac Death. 

"CRY's new patron David Walliams, who only this week completed his gruelling cross-Channel swim for Sport Relief, is an inspiration to all who are campaigning to prevent the needless deaths of 400 young people every year." 

The event, on Thursday, was hosted by Mr Loughton and fellow MP's Dari Taylor, who represents Stockton South, and Dr Vincent Cable, MP for Twickenham, and is a key event in CRY's Raising Awareness Week. 

CRY revealed an initiative made possible by successful fund-raising events over the past ten years. 

It will be providing a three-year grant of £180,000 to fund research by an expert cardiac pathologist who specialises in Sudden Cardiac Death Syndrome.  These funds will allow access to 700 hearts that have been retained for indications of Sudden Cardiac Death, which is often undetected during a post mortem.