Family and friends of a much-loved Workington man have created a potentially life-saving legacy following his death earlier this year.
Jeff Heyes died suddenly in February. The triathlete, who had retired from Sellafield weeks earlier, was 58 and well known for his sporting ability.
A post mortem revealed that Jeff had ischaemic heart disease. He and his family - wife Margaret and daughters Natalie and Stephanie - had no inkling of this.
Following his death, Margaret, who works for Allerdale Council, said the family was keen to raise awareness of heart disease, which causes an average of 460 deaths each day.
Supported by many friends and family they have done just that.
Various events were staged following Jeff's death.
Some members of Trilakeland, of which Jeff was a member, and Cockermouth gym Lake District Barbell raised more than £1,326 for Blood Pressure UK in memory of their friend.
A mini triathlon and also a multi exercise day were held at Workington Leisure Centre where Jeff trained.
These two events raised £2,260.00, which has been used to buy blood pressure monitoring machines for a range of gyms and support wellness programmes.
Two machines have gone to Garry Schubert, manager at Workington Leisure Centre (GLL), two have gone to Michael Quirk at ETL Workington, three to Luke Reeson, who has gyms in Cockermouth, Workington and Egremont, and one to Dougie Pomfret of Fit4Life, who runs healthy living initiatives and rehabilitation classes in Maryport, Workington and Whitehaven.
A heart-screening programme has been offered to Trilakeland members and remaining donations have been donated to Blood Pressure UK and Fit4Life.
"BP UK have offered free training to everyone we donated the machines to," said Margaret.
"We have friends and family who are in the NHS donating their time to support the GLL wellness programme.
"It's about raising awareness of high blood pressure and the conditions it can lead to.
"A lot of Jeff's friends have been very concerned because it was so sudden.
"A lot of people have realised they may be fit but not healthy."
Margaret is so grateful to everyone that has helped.
"It takes an army to do all we have done in raising awareness of blood pressure monitoring and I can’t thank enough everyone involved for their support, from the organisers, volunteers, participants to people who have donated to this awareness campaign.
"We've also had great support from BP UK, who are working with Sellafield and Fit4Life.
"I’m sure Jeff would be proud and honoured that the campaign was done in his memory."
Allerdale Council has run a wellness day for staff. Workington Leisure Centre plans to start them in the next few weeks.
"The hope is that this will become the norm - with wellness days being regularly held at a range of venues.
"Although it feels great to have done everything we have to raise awareness, it’s bitter sweet as Jeff is no longer with us. He is missed and loved everyday by our family.
"Jeff would definitely have loved it and would have been at each and every event.
"I hope this will help in some small way other families who without this awareness may find themselves sadly in our situation."
This weekend would have been Jeff's 59th birthday, he was planning to do the Ullswater Triathlon. Daughters Natalie and Stephanie and her husband Steven will do it in his memory, cheered on by Margaret and her grandchildren.
Family support: https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/20029108.workington-family-wanting-raise-awareness-following-sudden-death-much-loved-sportsman-jeff/
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