NEWPORT woman Ruth Christoffersen told a memorial service for victims of deep vein thrombosis yesterday of her "tremedous grief" over the loss of her daughter.

Emma Christoffersen, 28, from Llanmartin, died from DVT after a long-haul flight from Australia in September 2000.

Her death prompted mother Ruth to campaign for a greater awareness of the conditon and th epotential risks of air travel, in the hope it would save the lives of other travellers.

At a service at St Martin's-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Squ-are, London, organised by the pressure group which Mrs Christoff-ersen chairs, a candle was lit for each known victim of so-called "economy class syndrome".

Mrs Christoffersen, chairperson of Varda (Victims of Air Related Deep Vein Thrombosis Association), said it was an opportunity for relatives to talk to others about their experiences.

She said: "The grief is still tremendous but it does help to talk to others who have gone through it."

She told the congregation: "The 30th of September 2000 has brought us here today - the day Emma was taken from us and since then our grief has become almost unbearable.

"You will have your own dates embedded in your heart and I am sure, like us, you have asked many, many times, why?"

Mrs Christoffersen said many people were still unaware of the dangers of DVT and called for more action to highlight the health risks associated with air travel.

She added: "Maybe the silver lining in the dark clouds is the hearts that make us feel things so deeply.

"It is the same strong, caring hearts that will lead us in our own journey to a better day," she told the congregation.

After the potential dangers of DVT were highlighted in the Argus in 2000, the issue became a worldwide story - with media in countries like Australia, Germany and the USA covering the issue.

* Pictured: Ruth and John Christoffersen attending the memorial service