Fundraisers are under way in memory of a much-loved sports student from Lancaster & Morecambe College who died suddenly of cardiac arrest aged just 18.
Sam Dodd, who was described as "kind-hearted, caring and sensitive" and "beautiful inside and out", died of Sudden Arythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) in July 2024.
On Wednesday April 23, staff and students will take part in a cycling challenge to raise funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) in memory of Sam.
They will be cycling the distance between the college and Borussia Dortmund football stadium in Germany - 637 miles - as Sam was a huge fan of the team.
Sam's dad Paul, in a post on the fundraising page, said: "Sam was only 18 years old with his whole life and dreams in front of him.
"He was a fit and healthy teenager that we all loved. Nothing could have ever prepared us for this.
"Sam was kind-hearted and would do anything for anyone. He had a great sense of humour which was sometimes somewhat inappropriate, but that was Sam being Sam.
"He would come out with things on purpose to make us laugh at the most inappropriate times and succeeded most of the time. Sam was always the joker or clown of the family which no-one can ever come close to.
"Sam was a sensitive lad and loved to give you hugs. He would cross the road infront of his mates to come and give you one of his infamous hugs which is something most teenage lads would never do.
"He taught himself to play the guitar via You Tube and had people in awe of him when he played at the Wheatsheaf where he worked. We all miss the guitar rifts coming from his bedroom whilst he practiced.
"He worked at the Wheatsheaf in Garstang which he loved. All the staff looked forward to their shift if Sam was on because no-one knew what to expect from him because he just made everyone laugh and smile with his silly jokes and tales of what he'd got up to during the week."
The page has raised more than £1,000 to date, smashing the original target in just a few days.
You can donate to the college's fundraiser HERE.
On Thursday April 24, the staff in the college sports department are also hosting a fundraiser to raise awareness about SADS and screening for CRY.
They are hosting a tournament between two college teams with Sam's younger brother Lucas playing on the 'Dortmund' team.
Karen Crayston, Sam's former teacher and a family friend, recently ran the Paris Marathon in his memory.
Her fundraising page HERE has so far raised more than £2600 for CRY.
Karen said, on the page: "I had the privilege of watching Sam grow up from the age of four, as his teacher, head teacher and family friend.
"Raising money for CRY, in memory of Sam, is a way to honour him, raise awareness of this devastating and sudden cause of death that comes from nowhere, with no warning.
"Funds raised will hopefully help to improve research, screening and support for families who experience such heartache.
"By running the Paris 2025 marathon (my first ever), I will have the honour of carrying Sam with me every step of the way.
"Sam was a young man who truly had a massive impact on so many people's lives during his 18 years with us.
"Sam was a kind-hearted, clever and talented young man with a great sense of humour – he loved to have fun, and he laughed at everything and anything funny and silly.
"His positivity and natural way of making others feel happy and better, no matter what their situation, was incredible and very special.
"Even during his own tough times (e.g following the passing of his dog that he grew up with), Sam focussed on how this affected other members of his family – he then made sure they were supported in their grief.
"He was beautiful – inside and out - a young man who loved both humans and animals dearly.
"He was caring and sensitive and he loved to cuddle and show affection."
Every week in the UK at least 12 apparently fit and healthy young people die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions.
With your donation, CRY can reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD) by working with cardiologists and family doctors to establish good practice and appropriate screening facilities to promote and protect the cardiac health of our young.
Victoria Carter from Lancaster & Morecambe College will be a guest on Beth Across the Bay with Beth Pipe on Saturday (April 19) to talk about Sam and the college's fundraiser.
Beth's show is on from noon to 3pm on Beyond Radio.
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