Three school friends are to take part in the Great North Run on September 18 in memory of a man who collapsed and died outside a Preston nightclub due to an undetected heart condition. 

Andrew Parr was just 21 when he died from Sudden Adult Death syndrome outside Tokyo Jo’s, just seven months before his wedding to fiancée Gemma Abinett. 

Andrew, a vehicle electronic 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 in Preston. 

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

Phil Smith, Andrew Ellis and Phil Parker are now raising cash for the CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) charity which is aiming to raise £12,000 to bring a mobile cardiac screening unit to Preston so other young people are able to be tested for deadly heart defects. 

Andrew’s mum Ruth Lowe, who took part in the Hydro Active Women’s Challenge at Liverpool with Gemma and seven friends last week, believes her son could have been saved if his condition had been picked up earlier. 

Covering a distance of 13.1 miles from Newcastle to South Shields, the Run is the biggest half marathon in the UK. 

To sponsor the team or donate to CRY, ring 01772 791933.