When a popular football player died suddenly halfway through a match, it sent shockwaves through Reigate.

Three years later, one of his best friends is training for the London Marathon hoping his efforts can stop a similar tragedy occurring. 

Richard Feist, 27, or Greatlake Court, Horley, is hoping to raise £1,500 for Cardiac Risk in the Young after his friend died suddenly of heart failure. 

Stuart Attridge, who lived along in Reigate, was playing football at Brockhm Lane rugby field when he collapsed and died on January 29, 2006, aged 26.  He had no idea he was living with a heart condition. 

More than 600 people attended the funeral of the popular sportsman, who was described as 'every man's hero and every woman's dream'. 

Now Richard is planning to run 26 gruelling miles to honour his friend and raise funds for a charity that can help prevent people like Stuart losing their lives. 

Richard said: "I was very close to Stuart.  We played cricket together for seven years and I'm still close to his family. 

"It was an absolute and complete shock when he died.  He was playing football and then just keeled over- nobody was prepared for it." 

Following Stuart's death, the charity Cardiac Risk in the Yong tested his family for undiagnosed heart conditions and even tested all of Stuart's friends for a discounted price. 

"I really want to raise awareness that this can happen and highlight the importance of getting your heart checked." 

Richard works at the Hawthorns School sports centre, in Pendell Court, Bletchingly, and started training at the beginning of this year. 

He said: "My target is to raise £1,500 but in all honesty I'm hoping to smash that and raise a lot more. 

"I've already raised £805 and the marathon isn't until April so it's looking good." 

More than 154 people have joined the Facebook group 'This is for you Stu! RIP' to lend their support and open their wallets. 

If you want to help Richard Feist reach his target you can donate online at www.justgiving.com/richardfeist