A bereaved family from Narberth joined others from across Wales in attending an event at the National Assembly on Wednesday to raise awareness of sudden cardiac death in the young.

Organised by the leading charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), the event, which was attended by Alun and Gwenfair Mason from Narberth lost their son, Dean, aged just 26 in 2010 from sudden cardiac death, highlighted the fact that at least 12, apparently fit and healthy people (aged 14-35) die every week in the UK from a previously undiagnosed heart defect. Worryingly, 80 per cent of these young people will have had no symptoms.

To help illustrate these shocking figures and the devastating impact of sudden death in young people, 12 life-sized cut-out silhouettes (which have become a well-known and emotive feature at CRY events) were on display.

The event in Wales - that brought together families and members of the Welsh Assembly - came just weeks after the sudden collapse of Bolton mid-fielder, Fabrice Muamba. The shocking events on the pitch at White Hart Lane on March 17, led to even greater calls for cardiac screening in young people (especially those involved in sport) - something that CRY has been campaigning for since its launch in 1995.

Back in November 2009, CRY launched a poster-sized version of its emotive postcard campaign in Cardiff, featuring the photos of 12 local people who had lost their lives suddenly to previously undetected heart conditions.

Chief executive and founder of the charity, Alison Cox MBE, said: "As the recorded incidence of sudden cardiac death rises - it seems timely for us to return to Wales to meet up again with just some of the many families who have been affected by these devastating conditions. It is also vital for us, as a campaigning and awareness raising charity, to have the opportunity to talk to Assembly Members.

"Due to recent events, sudden cardiac death has been dominating the health and sports pages of the national press. However, we need to keep up the pressure and to engage support from as many MPs and Assembly members as possible, to ensure we are doing everything we can to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies."

The most simple way to identify many of the abnormalities that can cause sudden cardiac death is by having an ECG (electrocardiogram) test. The test is quick and painless. If necessary a further echocardiogram (ultrasound scan of the heart) can be taken to provide further clarity.

Since CRY was first founded in 1995, a number of young people from Wales have tragically died suddenly from previously undiagnosed heart conditions, including 27-year-old Gareth McDonald from Llanrumney. Gareth died from a previously undiagnosed heart condition in February 2000. Since his death, Gareth's family - along with so many others from across Wales - has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds.

Diane McDonald, Gareth's mother, (who is a now a CRY regional representative) said: "This is an important event for CRY and, as a representative of the many parents in Wales who have been affected by sudden cardiac death, I am so pleased that the charity continues to have a strong presence here, offering support to families and educating our young people about the importance of screening."