Shock at death of doting dad
Tributes paid to ex-rugby player:
TRIBUTES have been paid to a “popular” and “doting dad” after he died suddenly.
Daniel Shore, who lived in Cornelly, but grew up in Porthcawl, died from a “suspected heart-attack”, leaving his family and friends devastated.
Since his death, friends of the 37-year-old have set up a GoFundMe page and are doing everything they can to try and raise money for Daniel’s four-year-old daughter Lola Belle.
Brendan Lyons was friends with Daniel since they were 18, after meeting at rugby and he said they clicked straight away.
“Many other people can tell you this story – he’s got 10 best friends, maybe 20. We used to go out together, 20 of us all around South Wales, Swansea, Cardiff. Danny himself was the life and soul of the party or a pub, everyone knew him, he would just walk in somewhere and light the place up.
“Always joking, a doting dad, his daughter absolutely idolised him, daddy’s princess basically,” said Brendan.
Talking about his early life, Brendan said Daniel, who died on February 16, was an up and coming rugby player.
“He had Welsh honours in rugby, he played for Welsh Crawshays, he went to Neath College and then he played for Bridgend Bulls with legends like Allan Bateman, John Devereux, Kevin Ellis and they won the British cup with the Bridgend Bulls.”
Talking about the fundraiser page, which Brendan, alongside Michael Perugini and Kris Thomas, set up, Brendan said: “Straight away we got together on WhatsApp, and opened a GoFundMe page.
“We are just thinking of fundraising ideas to give his girl something. It’s not going to bring her dad back, but if we can give her a few thousand towards her first car or a holiday, anything really to make her smile. She’s just asking for her daddy, it’s heartbreaking.”
One of the fundraising ideas they have come up with is a raffle, and they have a signed replica belt from two-time heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury
“I run Tyson Fury’s close protection, as soon as it happened I thought ‘right we have got to do the best we can here’, so I rang Tyson straight away, he knew of Danny because of the stories I’ve told.
“I went up for a day’s work and Tyson signed a WBA full size replica belt and he also signed an official Tyson v Wilder poster and a duel Antony Joshua glove,” added Brendan.
“Bridgend Bulls are going to look at doing a charity game for his daughter in the summer when Covid is over. His beloved Porthcawl RFC are going to put a game on in the summer. Everyone’s devastated and everyone is staying positive for his little girl. He’s just a doting dad, that’s all he did was devote his life to his daughter really. He was a massive boxing fan, he would be over the moon with Tyson donating a replica belt.
“He was the biggest Liverpool fan, he used to go up to Anfield all the time. Popular, big, cuddly, caring man, just fun to be around; he’s touched so many lives, the phone hasn’t stopped, I’m talking to people from all over south Wales, he was just a memorable guy.”
Also paying tribute to Daniel was cousin Chris Frankam, who described him as a “larger than life character with a heart of gold”.
“Possibly the funniest bloke anyone will ever meet and a wonderful father to a beautiful little girl,” cousin Chris said.
Best friend Kris Thomas, who lives in Australia, said Daniel was “one in a million”. “An absolute character with a wicked sense of humour. A loving father and a loyal friend. He will be sorely missed and has made so many memories and touched so many people’s lives. I will always think of the good times and remember the size of his heart. Tragically another one of the good guys taken too soon,” said Kris.
And former Corneli Primary School teacher, Mr Griffiths, said Daniel was the most talented sportsman he’s ever taught in 40 years.