Tokyo Jo’s nightclub in Preston is to stage a charity auction in memory of a man who collapsed and died from a heart condition outside the club last year. 

Andrew Parr, of Whittle Green, Woodplumpton, near Preston, was 21 when the undetected heart condition killed him, seven months before his wedding. 

The money raised will go to the Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) charity, which wants to raise £12,000 to bring a mobile heart screening unit to Preston. 

Tokyo Jo employee Deborah Dakin, who is organising the event, said: “We spoke to Andrew’s mum, who is hoping to raise £12,000 so that the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young can bring a mobile screening unit to Preston, to help screen other young people who may have undetected heart conditions. 

“We would appreciate any donations of prizes for the auction.”

Andrew was with a group of friends when the tragedy happened at Tokyo Jo’s nightclub in Preston in the early hours of Easter Monday last year. 

The former Harris Primary and Broughton High School pupil was due to marry his fiancée, Gemma Abinett, 22, from Ashton, Preston, at Fulwood Free Methodist Church in November 2004. 

The couple, who met through doing youth work at the church, were planning to move in to their first home in Ashton. 

Andrew, a vehicle equipment installer for Base Systems, of Fylde Road, Preston, had complained of indigestion for around three weeks before he collapsed while on a night out at Tokyo Jo’s in Church Street, Preston. 

At an inquest it was revealed he had suffered a heart attack three weeks before his death. 

Mum Ruth still believes his life could have been saved if money was invested in screening young people for potential cardiac problems, and is campaigning for better awareness of sudden adult death syndrome and the importance of cardiac screening among young people. 

The nightclub is appealing for donations, gifts and prizes for the auction.  For more details, or to help in any way, call Deborah Dakin on 078821 309760.