A MOTHER who lost her son to an undiagnosed heart condition has made an alliance with her local corner shop.

Ulrike Rowbottom, 53, from Abingdon, lost her son Adam just over two years ago when he was 23.

He had no history of heart problems, but one night in July 2011 he died in his sleep.

She has teamed up with Martins, in Reynolds Way, Abingdon, to raise money for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

James Lancaster, chief executive of McColl’s which owns the shop, lost his son Robert to sudden cardiac death in 2007, aged 21.

Ms Rowbottom, who is Oxfordshire’s County Representative for CRY said: “This is about raising awareness, to bring it to people’s attention.

“I want to turn my tragedy into something more positive, which is what Adam would have wanted.”

Ms Rowbottom, has set up a trust fund with CRY in his memory, and thanks to an anonymous donation already has enough money to book a one-day heart screening session for young people in Oxfordshire next year. The date has still to be decided.

Every week in the UK, 12 apparently healthy people aged 14 to 35 die suddenly from undiagnosed heart conditions.

Mr Lancaster, who is a CRY trustee said: “After my youngest son died while on holiday with myself and my wife, CRY was an immense support to us and our family.”

If customers buy selected Halloween-themed products, CRY will be given a donation. Find out more at c-r-y.org.uk.