A Hull FC and England player is to auction two pairs of his boots to raise money and awareness in memory of a college friend.

Richard Whiting, 22, will put the boots he wore in Hull FC's Grand Final appearance against St Helens in October, and the boots he wore playing for England, on an Internet auction site. 

Money raised from the auction will be donated to the Jonny Leigh Memorial Fund. 

Jonny, from Pontefract, died of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (Sads) in September 2005, aged just 20.

Richard met Jonny while they were both aged 16 and studying a sports science A-level at Pontefract New College in 2001. 

Richard was playing for Featherstone Rovers, who Jonny supported and the pair remained firm friends. 

England utility player Richard, of Hessle, said: "We became friends through our mutual passion for sport and would talk endlessly about football and rugby. 

"Jonny was a great person to be around and was an exceptional footballer, having played at Wembley in 1996 for Wakefield District Juniors and later playing semi-professionally for Winterton Rangers of Scunthorpe. 

"We regularly contacted each other through our mobile phones after we left college and Jonny was one of the first people to congratulate me after our Challenge Cup victory in August 2005. 

"This was to be the last time we spoke to each other. 

"I was grateful all my friends were texting, but looking back now it was even more special. 

"Jonny was one of the fittest and healthiest young men you could meet, which is why it was such a terrible shock to hear of his tragic death. 

"I feel honoured to have known Jonny, which is why I decided to raise money in his name and try to raise awareness of the 'silent killer', known as Sads." 

The Memorial Fund set up in Jonny's name supports two charities, Cardiac Risk in the Young (Cry) and Sads UK. 

Both the charities use the funding to aid research into the condition and also to administer their own national screening programmes. 

Richard said: "It's not about raising money, it's about raising awareness so other people don't go through what Jonny's family and friends have been through." 

The boots are limited edition Nike Air Legend R10s in white with a gold trim.  Each has been embroidered in gold with "Rich W" with the number "6" beneath. 

They will be available to bid on at the Jull FC ebay shop from today and the England boots will be up for auction after the first pair have been sold.