Friends of a talented footballer who died during a Sunday league match have raised £6,000 in his name.
The tribute night at the Beechwood and Easterside Club was organised in memory of Paul Leach who collapsed just ten minutes into the game last November.
The 23-year-old from Marton Manor, Middlesbrough, had suffered heart failure, brought on by a rare condition which can cause unexpected death at any time.
Paul's devastated best friend Dean Talukder organised the fundraising event, with a live band, raffle and auction, with the help of one of Paul's former managers, Craig Blyth.
Paul's dad, Malcolm Leach was among the family members attending the event.
He said it was comforting to see so many people offering their support.
"It was a tremendous night and I would like to say thank-you in particular to Craig, Tally, Bart and Ted for the fantastic amount of effort they put in," he said.
"We'd like to thank everyone who supported it from the bottom of our hearts. Paul had so many great friends."
Craig and Paul also thanked everyone who donated to the appeal.
Craig, former manager of Beads football team, said: "It was a brilliant night and we're really please with the amount of money raised. People were really supportive."
Dean agreed: "We'd like to thank everyone for the donations."
Famous pals of Paul's, including Real Madrid's Jonathan Woodgate, Boro's Stewart Downing and Tottenham's Andy Reid, donated football shirts for the auction.
Most of the money raised will be donated to the charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).
"Some will also go towards paying for a bench and plaque next to Paul's grave for his family," said Craig.
Paul worked with Lowe and Simpson Ltd., on Preston Farm Industrial Estate, as a staircase designer. He and his fiancée, Emma Ferrier, were planning to marry in June.
Paul's grieving family have all now undergone tests for the condition Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.
Mr Leach, who lives in Cleethorpes said they are awaiting the results.
"We were all screened – I pushed to get it done as quick as I could. Everything is ongoing at the moment and just waiting to hear back."
The charity CRY today published the results of a new survey relating to cardiac deaths in young people.
It indicates that 97% of all Primary Care Trusts have failed to implement new guidelines set out a year ago. The guidelines are aimed at helping NHS services to identify people who are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death and explain how screening can be carried out.
CRY said the survey reinforces concerns that "no significant progress" has been made to address the 400 unexplained sudden cardiac deaths of young people every year. Founder and chief executive Alison Cox said: "Electrocardiogram testing in the young is vital if we are to reduce the number of unnecessary deaths, but this needs to followed up with a referral to a cardiac specialist."
