People have donated £34,500 in memory of Stoke City fan Daniel Hughes
FRIENDS and relatives of a 28-year-old talented footballer who died in his sleep are to stage heart screenings to save the lives of other seemingly healthy people.
Popular postman Daniel Hughes, was found in bed by his mum at his Bignall End home in March last year.
Since then well-wishers have donated a staggering £34,500 in memory of the Stoke City fan.
Now the money will be used to pay for heart screening sessions to take place over the next few years.
Dad David Hughes said: "Daniel was healthy and there were no signs whatsoever that anything was wrong with him.
"The night he died he came in and told me he was going to be bed and I said 'OK' and that was the last time I ever spoke to him. It's heartbreaking."
A number of fund-raisers have taken place over the last 12 months including a competition at the gym where Daniel trained – Hanley's True Grit Training – along with 13 of his friends taking on a 160-mile bike ride.
And last month – to mark the first anniversary of his death – a special charity evening took place where Stoke City legends Terry Conroy and Jimmy Greenhoff entertained around 120 guests with stories of their playing days.
David, aged 57, who works as a project engineer, added: "We are so grateful to everyone who came and supported us.
"It was a fantastic night and we would like to thank Terry and Jimmy and everyone who contributed to make it a success."
That night brought in £3,300, which went to the ongoing memorial fund with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
The money will pay for screening sessions for 14 to 35-year-olds to take place in the first weekend in September for the next three years.
It is hoped around 200 people will be checked.
Daniel, who played football for Alsagers Bank FC, had suffered Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). Relatives say the post-mortem also found all his major organs were perfectly normal including his heart, even though it had stopped.
David added: "We all thought Daniel was healthy and his death came as such a shock so we hope by doing these screenings it can raise awareness. If it saves one life then that means everything that has been done is more than worth it."
Former Stoke City legend Jimmy, aged 69, who scored more than 90 times for the Potters, said: "It's important to raise awareness over such issues and we were happy to support the night, which was put together for such a good cause."