TRIBUTES have been paid following the sudden death of a popular young man who had everything going for him.

Liam Dodd, 20, collapsed at home and died in the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle on July 4.

The cause of his death is unknown.

His dad Alan Dodd, of Thurstonfield, near Carlisle, said: “He was getting ready for bed when he collapsed.

“We called an ambulance. He was taken to hospital and they put him in an induced coma to give him the best chance but sadly he didn’t make it.

“For me it doesn’t make sense at all. If he’d done something daft then it could be explained but this can’t.

“He’d been fine - fit and healthy.”

Liam was with his girlfriend, Sarah Irving, 19, when he collapsed.

The pair met on SnapChat when Liam was 17 and Sarah was 16.

She said: “We’d been to see Toy Story 4 and were getting ready for bed when he just collapsed on the floor.

“Liam’s energy was infectious. He amazed me every day, he was perfect.

“He was kind-hearted, well mannered, enthusiastic and funny. Liam treated me like a princess, he did everything for me and all he wanted to do was protect me, which he achieved every day.”

The couple were due to fly to Cyprus on holiday in two weeks’ time.

Sarah, who is an apprentice teaching assistant at Inglewood Junior School in Carlisle, said: “We’d worked hard for it and were counting the days until take-off.

“Together our plans were to save up for a house, get married and have children of our own. Liam would tell me every week how much he wanted this to happen, this was going to be the life we dreamed of together.”

Sarah’s parents, John Rickerby and Bev Irving said: “Liam was welcomed into our family nearly three years ago. We couldn’t believe that our youngest daughter had brought home such a well mannered, polite young man.

“We quickly became very fond of Liam. He was everything we would choose for a son-in-law.

“He will be forever missed by us all.”

Liam went to Kirkbampton School and then Caldew School and had recently qualified as a plumber. He was working for Waterworks.

Alan, a quantity surveyor, said: “In the week he collapsed he had become a fully qualified plumber. We said to him: ‘20 years old and a fully qualified plumber’. It meant such a lot to him and to us.

“He was a fit, clean living young man.

“A lot of his customers can’t believe what has happened and all say the same - he was a lovely lad.”

Sarah added: “Liam was the life and soul wherever he went. The Joker.

“He could always make people laugh just by being Liam.”

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His sister, Lucy, 18, who works at Blackdyke Riding School, said her brother was a real practical joker.

She said: “You always had a smile on your face. You loved music. The house now seems so quiet and I will miss your singing coming from the bathroom as you sang in the shower.

“Life will never be the same without you.”

Liam’s step mum, Nicola Barwick, said: “He will leave a massive hole in our lives.”

Liam enjoyed playing cricket at school and recently played football with his friends.

His friends gathered at the Bridge End Inn in Dalston last Friday night to remember Liam.

Alan said: “John and I popped in to buy them all a drink from Liam.”

John said: “They were chanting his name.”

Vicki Jackson, headteacher at Caldew School, said: “Liam was a very popular member of our school community and we are all saddened to hear about his tragic loss.

“Everyone at Caldew has fond memories of Liam, he had many close friends and was highly thought of by staff.

“We will always remember Liam as a happy, polite young man who always gave his best.

“We send our sincere condolences to his family.”

A celebration of life service took place on Friday at Carlisle Crematorium.

Donations were collected at the service and will be given to a charity to be chosen by Liam’s family.

Liam leaves his mum Cheryl, dad Alan, step mum Nicola, sister Lucy, brother Luke, girlfriend Sarah Irving, grandma Val and many friends and other family members.