THE friends and family of a Northwich man who died from sudden adult death syndrome (SADS) are preparing to take a leap of faith to raise funds for life-saving screening days across the town.

Former Weaverham High School and Mid Cheshire College student Aaron James Dixon was just 23-years-old when he died from an undetected heart defect on September 4, 2011.

Now, almost 20 months later, his dad Gary aged 55, neighbour Rebecca Knight, 46, and eight of Aaron’s closest friends will jump 10,000ft from a plane in order to raise funds for charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

“We were directed to CRY by the coroner,” explained 52-year-old mum Deborah. “And we were shocked to see just how many young adults lose their lives to undetected heart defects.

“We set up a memorial fund in Aaron’s name in the hope of raising as much money as possible to go towards setting up screening days for young adults in the Northwich area.”

Screening days identify most cardiac abnormalities, with any person who is considered to have an abnormal ECG on the day also receiving an ECHO and a full cardiac evaluation at a later date.

“It took two months before we were told the cause of death which was arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy – something we had never heard of,” said Deborah.

“To my knowledge there hasn’t been one of these screening days held in this area. We don’t want anyone else to go through the heartache we face every day.

“This living nightmare is ongoing for us as a family because our 20-year-old daughter Hollie has to be tested annually now for the same defect as it is genetic.

“We have made it our aim to help save other young adults.”

Each week, 12 young adults die from undetected heart defects, with symptoms sometimes undetected until it is too late.

In Aaron’s case, two previous health problems, diagnosed as hydration, could have been an indication of the underlying condition, which could have been spotted had he had a chance to be screened.

Deborah said: “Aaron had always looked after himself and was fit and healthy. It’s heartbreaking to think that the more Aaron looked after himself by playing football and going to the gym, the closer he was to death as he was aggravating the defect he had.”

Gary and Rebecca will be joined by Aaron’s close friends Mike Lee, 25, Mike Seery, 24, Jamie Dearden, 23, Billy Lane, 25, Oli Daniel, 26, Woody Al-Zidgali, 25, Jadie Hassell, 25, and James Barker, 25, when they complete the skydive at Tilstock Aerodrome on July 13.

Visit justgiving.com/AaronJamesDixon if you would like to donate.