THE family of a woman who died of an undiagnosed heart issue are appealing for people to help them mark the fifth anniversary of her sudden death.

Kayleigh Griffiths, from Witham, was apparently fit and healthy before she collapsed by the pool while on holiday in Malaga, Spain in July 2017.

The 23-year-old suffered two heart attacks within minutes and doctors were unable to save her.

A post-mortem revealed that she had an undiagnosed heart condition - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The Kayleigh Memorial Fund set up by parents Leon and Wendy has since raised more than £40,000 for national charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which raises awareness of potentially life-threatening cardiac abnormalities in young people.

Brother Ryan Griffiths is also appealing for people to sponsor him or join him in CRY’s 16th annual Heart of London Bridges Walk on Sunday, June 26.

The 5.5-mile route through central London concludes with a family picnic, entertainment, games and food stalls.

He said: “I’m taking part with family and friends and it would be fantastic if more people, particularly those who knew Kayleigh, could join us or offer their support through sponsorship.

“It’s really important to identify those young people at risk from cardiac abnormalities and fund the vital research that could prevent another tragedy.”

The fund has previously supplied a defibrillator for Witham Town FC, as well as paying for a heart-screening session held at the club.

Kayleigh was a keen footballer growing up, playing for both Witham Town Ladies and Silver End Girls. One of its defibrillators was recently used to save a life

CRY chief executive Dr Steven Cox said: “On behalf of all of us at CRY, I would like to say a huge thank you to Ryan for signing up to our walk and for everything he’s doing to raise funds and awareness in memory of his sister, Kayleigh.

“Every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people in the UK die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

“CRY now tests over 30,000 young people each year, aged between 14 and 35 – and research shows that one in every 300 people we screen will be identified with a potentially life- threatening condition."

For more details, visit: https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/bridges-walk-2022/