A heart defect caused the untimely deaths of two promising students last year. Now, Nottingham's universities are trying to prevent further tragedies from Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (Sads). Education Correspondent MICHAEL GREENWELL reports.

NEIL Desai and Simon McNamara were in the prime of their life and enjoying sporting success.

Neil was an aspiring barrister and world-ranked squash player – voted sports personality of the year at the University of Nottingham in 2008.

Simon, of Southwell, was a keen rugby player.

But despite their physical fitness and healthy lifestyles, the pair died unexpectedly because of undiagnosed heart defects.

Known as Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (Sads), such undiagnosed defects are killing 12 adults in the UK every week on average.

Students' Unions from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University have now chosen Cry (Cardiac Risk in the Young) as one of its official charities.

Simon's father, Michael McNamara, is vice-president of the University of Nottingham's council and hopes further tragedies can be prevented.

"My son died in July last year and he, like about 80% of the people who die, show no symptoms," he said.

"Simon played rugby for the county when he was at Nottingham High School and was also playing for Durham University but he had this condition that had not been detected.

"More research is needed and more people need to be tested to make sure they are not at risk too."

Simon, 25, died from sudden adult death syndrome while on holiday in Croatia.

Six weeks later, Neil's death rocked the University of Nottingham.

The law student died suddenly on his 22nd birthday in September last year.

A post-mortem examination showed he died of natural causes but the conclusion by pathologists was Sads.

Neil's mother, Urmi Desai, has set up the Neil Desai Foundation which helps raise money for Cry.

"I did not know anything about SCD or Sads before my son's death," she said.

"Now my aim is to raise as much awareness as possible about the conditions.

"My son was a top athlete and world ranked squash player but did not know that he was at risk."

Since Neil's death, the University of Nottingham has staged heart screening events for its students.

By identifying those at risk through a £35 test, adults can manage their defects through medication but in some extreme cases have to give up sport altogether.

Mrs Desai wants more mandatory testing to identify the defects – especially those who play sport and exercise regularly."I want more sports clubs and organisations to screen people," she said. "We should follow Italy's example where much more screening is carried out."

Mr McNamara said: "Around 400 students have been screened at the university and seven students were found to need further tests.

"I want mandatory tests in this country but we are realists about the costs on the health service.

"Tests at the university cost £35 and I cannot understand why leading sports clubs do not do it."

As part of the Varsity series between the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, Cry will benefit from all funds raised from ticket sales. Varsity begins in February and sees university teams compete in a range of sports.

Matches feature the top sports people from the universities and draw thousands to venues including Notts County's Meadow Lane.

During the 2009 Varsity league, £9,017 was raised from ticket sales for South Nottingham College project, Balls to Poverty.

It is hoped money raised can pay for more on-campus screenings, research into the heart defects which cause SCD and Sads, as well as publicising the work of Cry.

Rob Greenhalgh, president of the University of Nottingham Students' Union, said: "Neil's death was a huge shock and a tragic loss.

"I first met Neil when I was travelling on my gap year in New Zealand and he was a much-loved friend to me and to so many students at Nottingham.

"Neil's parents have been very supportive of everything the Students' Union and the university have done to help raise awareness of SCD and the programme of providing cardiac screenings for the university's top athletes and local young people.

"The fact that seven of the people we screened were referred for further tests shows just how important it is to raise awareness of SCD and of heart conditions in the young."

For more information about Cry, visit www.c-r-y.org.uk.

To make a donation to the Neil Desai Foundation, visit www.neildesai.org.

michael.greenwell@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk