Friends and family have raised more than £2000 in memory of young athlete Christopher Rennard, who died after taking part in a school run.

Christopher, 15, was suffering from the silent but deadly heart disease Cardiomyopathy, the same illness that caused the death of Daniel Yorath, son of former Leeds United star Terry, pictured here with Louise O’Brien, Christopher’s mum, her four children and Alan Boot who organised the event.

Cardiomyopathy is a hereditary disease that causes a thickening of the heart muscle. It is among the biggest single cause of sudden cardiac death among young people.

At a special fund raising event attended by the former soccer hero and now manager of Sheffield Wednesday, members of the Stanningly Sports Club raised over £2,000 in tribute to junior member Christopher.

They have also pledged to install a plaque celebrating his young life at the club grounds.

Christopher, known as Kit, was found collapsed by his sister a little over an hour after taking part in an inter-school athletics contest for West Leeds in November.

Tests showed he had been killed by the same heart condition, Cardiomyopathy, that claimed the life of Daniel Yorath, who collapsed and died playing football in his garden.

Christopher’s mum, Louise O’Brien, of Armley, Leeds, now aims to raise thousands of pounds for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, who are a support group for families of victims of Cardiomyopathy and similar sudden deaths.

Louise said:” The fund-raising night was quite difficult; all of Kit’s friends were there and I kept looking for Kit too. It was a lovely night though. I was reminded how much everyone cared about Kit.”

Louise is now planning a series of fund-raising events of her own and is appealing for help to organise them. She can be contacted through the sports club on 0113 256 0847.