FAMILY and friends of a Weymouth dad who collapsed and died at a New Year’s Eve party have organised a charity event in his memory.

Father-of-one Jonathan Clark, known as Joffy, died aged 27 and worked at Daniel’s Fish and Chips in Littlemoor.

He left behind his partner Claire Wootton and their son Cohan, now aged two.

Claire said: “We were mid-conversation when Joffy just collapsed at about 2am or 3am on New Year’s Eve 2012.

“It was so unexpected, he never did drugs and wasn’t a big drinker.

“Joffy saw everyone that day, all his close friends and family, and we spent the night together.

“I’m still worried for Cohan that what happened to Joffy could be something hereditary.”

An inquest could find no medical cause for Mr Clark’s death, although fluid in the lungs suggested he could have experienced a sudden rhythm disturbance of the heart.

Pathologist Dr Deverell said it was possible Mr Clark had suffered from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, which can cause a perfectly healthy adult to experience a fatal rhythm disturbance of the heart, but this could not be proved at autopsy.

Claire added: “I’m organising a charity event on April 12 in memory of Jonathan and will be raising money in aid of the CRY charity, which offers support to family and friends suffering from bereavement.

“During the event there will be a range of stalls, face painting, bouncy castle, bands, raffle prizes and a stall about CRY to raise awareness.

“Joffy loved football and was a big Manchester United fan, so there will also be a mini football tournament where each team will pay £10 to enter and depending on how many teams we have, there will be a cup for the winner.

“I’d also love some help with donations and raffle prizes for the event, because it’s a really good cause and close to my heart.”

Jonathan came from a close family and is truly missed by his mother Margaret French and father Charlie Clark, two sisters Jenny and Emma and brother Andrew.

For more information or to get involved, call Claire on 07725926048 or email claire_wootton@hotmail.co.uk

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is a charity helping to raise awareness of cardiac risk, Sudden Cardiac Death and Sudden Death Syndrome.

The organisation promotes the heart screening of young people aged 14 to 35 and offers support to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one or friend.

Alison Cox MBE, Chief Executive and Founder of CRY, said: “It takes great courage and determination for anyone who has been affected by young sudden cardiac death to be able to see beyond their own situation and to want to raise funds for CRY, helping us increase awareness of our work, including our pioneering screening programme, research and bereavement support.

“I find it very humbling that despite their own terrible experience, people somehow manage to find the strength to support us to try and prevent other people from the same catastrophic grief as they have endured.

“On behalf of all of us at CRY, I would like to say a huge thank you to Claire, as well as her many friends and family members who are raising funds in memory of her partner, Jonathan.”