Marathon challenge in honour of brother

The sister of a popular footballer who died suddenly in his Suffolk home has announced plans to run in next year's London Marathon in his honour.

Mychaela Gardiner will be taking part in the gruelling 26.2 mile event with her best friend Gemma Willins in memory of former semi-professional Aaron Gardiner. 

The 33-year-old, a former mid-fielder at AFC Sudbury and Ipswich town, collapsed and died from a heart attack in his home after a pre-season training run. 

Now his sister hopes to raise money and awareness for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) by pounding the streets of the capital in April. 

"When my brother passed away last year, I got in contact with CRY and started looking at various fundraising things," said Ms Gardiner, 31, a teacher at Northgate High School, Ipswich. 

"I wanted to raise awareness of the charity and I felt I wanted to do something for Aaron and not just forget about him.  I also wanted to warn people this could happen to anyone they know. 

"Aaron's three children will now have to go through tests organised by CRY to ensure any potential related problems they might have are looked at straight away. 

"I am a little apprehensive about running the marathon but I am also looking forward to it. 

"Aaron was very well known and I hope I will get good support from the community." 

In a distinguished local football career, Mr Gardiner was a youngster at Ipswich Town before playing for Cornard United, Braintree Town, Halstead Town and Diss Town.  He was born and grew up in Sudbury where he played more than 200 times, describing his appearance in the 2003 FA Vase Final at West Ham's Upton Park as one of his proudest moments, before he moved to Clacton Town shortly before his death. 

The father-of-three had just come out of the shower after finishing a pre-season training run when he fell to the floor in his home in Blythe Close, Ipswich. 

He died despite desperate resuscitation attempts by his fiancée Jo, and a post-mortem examination found his death was caused by heart failure. 

Now his sister and Ms Willins hope to raise at least £2,500 before next year's marathon. Ms Willins, who now lives in London, said:

"Mychaela said she was going to do the London Marathon and I said I would run with her- although I didn't actually mean it at the time.  The next thing I know she had actually registered." 

CRY works to raise awareness of Sudden Death Syndrome - which kills hundreds of young people every year - and campaigns for proactive screening of young people, offering help and support to those who have suffered a loss and providing medical information. 

Anyone who would like to donate some money should log on to www.justgiving.com/running-foraaron and make a pledge online.