A former Co Derry Gaelic footballer who survived a deadly form of cancer has launched a fundraising drive in memory of his sister-in-law who died suddenly of a rare heart condition.

Ronan Rocks was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in April 2004 just months after helping his then football club,. the Loup, win their first Ulster senior football title. 

After a gruelling round of chemotherapy the 36-year-old was give the all clear a year later.

But Rock's joy and relief turned to despair just weeks later when his sister-in-law Marcella Doherty died suddenly while on a weekend away in Co Donegal with friends. 

The 24-year-old, a daughter of former Derry footballer Peter Doherty, was later found to have died from a rare heart condition known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy or ARVC - a condition similar to the one that claimed the life of former Tyrone captain Cormac McAnallen in March 2004. 

Now a father-of-three, Rocks has launched a campaign to raise £20,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care and heart charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). 

He hopes to raise the cash by organising a relay race around his adored home town of Bellaghy, Co Derry, on Sunday October 15. 

"Obviously I had cancer and you just keep going but it was important for us to include CRY in the fundraising," he said. 

"Marcella and my wife Rhonda were sisters and it's very important to the family that we make people aware of the importance of being screened.

"Marcella was a great  character.  I never had any sister but she was a sister to me." 

Rock's wife Rhonda said she hoped other families would avoid the pain suffered by the loss of her younger sister. 

Ms Doherty's mother Brigid said it was "vital to raise awareness" of potentially deadly heart condition in young people. 

Rocks hopes to sign up 40 groups of five people to take part in 3km legs of the relay run. 

"We want everyone to get involved, he said. 

"You don't have to be from a GAA club - you could be from any sporting group or must be a nice group of friends who would like to walk he rout. 

For more information or to pledge your support you can contact Rocks on 0787 5400 839 or email him at ronan@moltools.co.uk 

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