Fundraiser for young Derbyshire man who died in his sleep

A charity football match will be held in memory of a young man who sadly died in his sleep.
Kyle Hancock. Picture submitted.Kyle Hancock. Picture submitted.
Kyle Hancock. Picture submitted.

Kyle Hancock, of Bradwell, passed away aged 18 in 2011. He was discovered lifeless after suffering from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS).

The sports journalism student was an avid Sheffield Wednesday fan and now his best friend Paige Salt, a keen Sheffield United supporter, is organising the fundraising match to aid the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity.

Paige – who has been raising money for charity ever since the tragedy – said: “Kyle was like a brother to me.

“We always debated who was the better team and had such a laugh together. The banter between us was so funny.

“Once my mum told me about the devastating news of his death, I just fell to the floor and broke. I couldn’t believe he’d been taken away from us.

“He was such a wonderful person and is very sorely missed.”

The charity football match – which will see Owls and Blades fans battle it out on the pitch – will kick off at Hillsborough Arena in Sheffield at about 1pm on Sunday, August 14.

There will also be auctions with great prizes including signed shirts, a bouncy castle, face painting and much more.

The event is free to attend.

For more information and to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steelcityderby

SADS are genetic heart conditions which can cause sudden death in young, apparently healthy, people.

Every week, 12 people under the age of 35 die unexpectedly from a heart condition they didn’t know they had.

For more information about the condition, visit www.sads.org.uk