Wednesday will be a year to the day since much-loved Folkestone Invicta striker Paul Sykes, collapsed and died. 

He was laying against another of his old teams, Margate.  It was later discovered he had a heart defect.  Paul, who was 28, left a widow, Carly and their young son, Thomas. 

The family launched a fund-raising drive to raise money for research into heart conditions. 

Paul's brother, Peter, 27, and Patrick, 24, are hoping to raise £1,200 by running the London Marathon for a charity called CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young. 

CRY advocates screening families for possible heart defects, especially children. 

Peter's wife, Clare, 27, said: "We were frightened of the answers, but we had to know what lay in store for the children." 

Fortunately, the screening revealed the family were all right. 

CRY helped the Sykes family so much they decided to raise money for further research. 

Peter and Clare, who live in Monins Road, Dover, with their children, Owen, three and Holly, one, have been astounded by the generosity of everyone who has pledged help and support. 

The family want to thank everyone who is supporting them and say the ready offers of help remind them just what am impression Paul made on people. 

Naturally, it has still been a difficult year. 

Peter said: "I cannot begin to explain how we have got through it. 

"But everyone, especially my parents, Patricia and Peter, have been so strong.  I am so glad that he achieved so much in his life, by always being on the go and getting out and doing the things he wanted to. 

"On the pitch, he could get excited and shout, but when the match was over he would be the first to go up to the other team and offer a handshake." 

The football world has reacted with sadness to Paul's death.  Tributes have been posted on football forums from teams all over the UK, including Arsenal and West Ham.  The FA has also posted a tribute, as has Peter Taylor, the man who briefly took charge of the England team. 

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CRY - Cardiac Risk in the Young was founded in May 1995 to raise awareness of cardiac risk in the young, including conditions such as Sudden Cardiac Death and Sudden Death Syndrome. 

Every week eight apparently healthy young people die in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions. 

The charity offers support to those who have suffered a loss, by developing a network of families in similar situations.  It also calls on trained counsellors. 

CRY promotes heart screening and EGG testing programmes and also donates medical equipment to doctors' surgeries and hospitals.  The charity relies on donations. 

Anyone who would like to help the Sykes' fund-raising effort can contact Peter on 07787 326617.