Club honours dad-of-three who died at 42
THOUSANDS OF pounds have been raised in memory of a 42-year-old Halifax man described as ‘the best dad in the world’.
Father-of three Lee Hunter died after a sudden cardiac arrest at home, just after putting his daughters to bed.
Rugby club West Bowling ARLFC, where Lee used to play, have since been fundraising in his honour in aid of the British Heart Foundation.
Lee had to give up rugby when he was 25 after being diagnosed with cardiomyopathy - a rare heart condition which was caused by a viral infection and led to inflammation of his heart muscle.
He took medication to control his condition and was able to live an active and healthy lifestyle, such as taking up cycling, which became a huge passion of his.
But in July 2018, Lee had a sudden cardiac arrest at home. A relative who lived nearby
rushed to Lee’s aid and started CPR, before calling 999. Ambulance crews arrived to take Lee to Leeds General Infirmary - the same hospital where he worked as an estates manager.
There was nothing that could be done to save Lee and he passed away. He leaves daughters 14-year-old Lola, sevenyear-old Poppy and four-yearold Indie, and fiancée Carly-Jo Miller.
Carly, 38, said: “At the hospital, they wanted to take me to a side room to tell me the news being a nurse I have been the side of giving that news and it terrified me.
“I then had to tell the girls what had happened, which was the hardest part. Lee was the best dad in the world. Only the week before his death he had taught Poppy how to ride a bike without stabilisers, which was such a proud moment for him.
“We still feel like Lee is a part of us – the girls even have teddy bears sprayed with Lee’s favourite aftershave so they can remember him when times get tough.”
West Bowling ARLFC has been holding under 40s v over 40s matches and raffles in Lee’s memory in aid of British Heart Foundation and a trust fund for is daughters.
The events have collected £9,000 and another fundraiser is planned for this year, on July 23 at Horsfall Stadium, off Halifax Road in Bradford.
“The girls even have teddy bears sprayed with Lee’s favourite aftershave so they can remember him.”