The parents of a teenager who died of a heart condition he never knew he had hope his image will help raise awareness of sudden cardiac death among young people.

A picture of Nathan Butler appears alongside photos of 11 other young victims of heart disease on a new postcard being produced by charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). 

Nathan, a seemingly fit and healthy young cricketer, was found dead on his bedroom floor by his mother in February 2006.  He was just 16 years old. 

He died from an undiagnosed heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), which affects around 10,000 people in the UK. 

CRY'S new postcard illustrates the fact that 12 young people die from sudden cardiac death every week. 

Nathan's parents, Angela and Phil Butler, hope the pictures of Nathan and the other young people, all under 35 and half of them teenagers, will hammer home the message that lives are being tragically cut short. 

Angela, aged 50, of Hassam Parade, Wolstanton, said: "They're just normal, young people - that's what makes it so shocking.  It's all very well talking about statistics, but when you're looking at 12 young faces, it really hits home." 

The postcard is part of CRY'S campaign calling for improved access to cardiac screening, particularly among young people involved in competitive sport. 

A simple test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) can identify those suffering from HCM and other heart conditions, meaning treatments can then be applied. 

A recent survey showed that only 58 per cent of people in the Midlands were aware that an ECG could detect potentially life-threatening heart conditions in young people. 

Angela added: "It is quite simple and straightforward getting an ECG.  Our son Josh is coming up to the age Nathan was so he has to be screened every six months, as it might be a genetic thing. 

"If there is anything wrong, it will be picked up.

"That's what we want for all young people.  If it saves just one family going through the same thing we've been through it will be worth it."

Like his brother, Josh, aged 16, is very active, playing cricket, football and golf, and he knows the importance of being screened. 

He said: "Getting tested is very simple.  It can be annoying sometimes, because of all the travelling about, but it's all for the best.  I think because it affects so many people, more young people should be screened." 

Angela and Phil will be attending the launch of CRY'S Midlands postcard campaign in Nottingham on Friday. 

CRY is calling on its supporters to send the postcards to their local MP's, encouraging them to back the campaign and join the Cardiac Risk in the Young All Parliamentary Group. 

Alison Cox MBE, chief executive and founder of the charity said: "We feel it is time to re-launch this powerful campaign in the Midlands to help emphasise the importance of screening and the fact that so many of these tragic cases affecting fit and healthy young people could have been prevented. 

"These 12 faces are just a snapshot of the problem and we need to keep up the pressure and engage support from as many MP's as possible to make sure we can prevent other families from experiencing tragedies. 

Charity raises awareness of tragic condition

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) helps to raise awareness of cardiac risk, Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS, SADS). 

The charity was established in 1995 by Alison Cox.  The group promotes support groups, counselling, heart screening, ECG testing, sponsors medical research, donates equipment to surgeries and hospital and funds the CRY centre for Sports Cardiology at the Olympic Medical Institute.  Patrons include comedian David Walliams, BBC sports presenter John Inverdale and former British rower Sir Steven Redgrave.  Former England cricketer Sir Ian Botham is the honorary president. 

For details call 01737 363 222.