A dad died on Christmas Day minutes after 'laughing and joking' with his family.
Dad-of-one Gareth Blenkins, 40, had spent the day with his family when he went out for a cigarette in the evening, his cousin said. But after coming back inside, he suddenly fell to the floor after having a heart attack.
Tragically, despite being rushed to hospital, he passed away. He leaves his 15-year-old son behind.
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His heartbroken cousin, Damien Sharpe, paid tribute to Gareth, of Leeds, LeedsLive reports.
Damien said that after Gareth had come back into the house was “laughing and joking but then he just clutched his chest and fell to the floor and started having a fit”. He was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary.
“But it was too late,” added Damien, tearfully. “His brain went for too long without oxygen. Unfortunately, he didn’t come round from it.”
Gareth leaves behind a 15-year-old son who he “lived for”, says Damien. The devastated cousin spoke of how much of a “loving” father the painter and decorator was.
Damien said: “He was strong, he’d do anything for anybody, very protective. Sometimes he’d be quite shy but if he noticed you were sad, he’d always say ‘Do you need a Blenkins cuddle?’ I’ll never forget those words.”
Damien, 42, says Gareth was like a little a brother to him as they were raised together. He added that the Armley man was a big fan of Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos and he’d just celebrated his 40 th birthday with his friends in Malaga only last month.
Damien, who works as a lorry driver, has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help raise money for Gareth’s funeral. Damien says Gareth had put all his money towards his son and hadn’t prepared any life insurance or any means to pay for a funeral.
He said: “I know he was loved and I know he touched a lot of people’s hearts. I just want to help the family out – especially with this happening over Christmas. Nobody expected this to happen.” The fundraiser can be accessed here.
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