• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Dad dies suddenly on Christmas Day moments after 'laughing and joking' with family

Home> News

Published 14:13 30 Dec 2022 GMT

Dad dies suddenly on Christmas Day moments after 'laughing and joking' with family

A dad from Leeds died suddenly on Christmas day from a suspected heart attack just moments after 'laughing and joking' with family.

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

A dad who was 'laughing and joking' with his family on Christmas day died suddenly of a suspected heart attack.

40-year-old Gareth Blenkins, from Leeds, was enjoying the festive celebrations with his family when he suddenly collapsed to the floor, clutching his chest.

This came after the 40-year-old nipped out for a cigarette while the evening was winding down.

Gareth was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary on Christmas day but sadly lost his life.

Damien Sharpe, Gareth's cousin, told LeedsLive: "He was laughing and joking but then he just clutched his chest and fell to the floor and started having a fit.

"His brain went for too long without oxygen. Unfortunately, he didn’t come round from it.

Gareth Blenkins was enjoying Christmas day when he suddenly collapsed.
Damien Sharpe

"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."

Gareth leaves behind a 15-year-old son who he 'lived for', according to Damien.

His cousin said that Gareth was more like a brother to him, and spoke of how much of a 'loving' father he was to his son.

Gareth was a big Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos fan and had just celebrated his 40th birthday in Malaga last month.

Damien added: "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."

Gareth's cousin also said that the dad put all his money towards his son and hadn't prepared any life insurance or any funeral costs.

Gareth only celebrated his 40th birthday with friends last month.
Damien Sharpe

As a result, Damien has launched a GoFundMe page to help raise some money for Gareth's funeral.

Since it went live three days ago, the fundraiser has smashed its target of £4,000, with nearly £5,500 raised at the time of writing.

On the page, Damien wrote: "I don’t normally ask anything of this sort but feel compelled to do so.

"If you knew Gareth or had any interaction with him you know how good he inside and out, how much he loved life and never hurt a fly.

"As we all know life is hard sometimes and now with cost of living it’s even more expensive and we as a family cannot imagine life with our gaz and how this devastating news has affected us all."

Featured Image Credit: Damien Sharpe

Topics: News, Christmas

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
7 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Donald Trump sparks another conspiracy theory about assassination attempt after internet sleuths spot major ‘clue’

    Social media users are questioning the authenticity of Donald Trump's assassination attempt once more, as they examine 'clues'

    News
  • 7 hours ago

    Melania Trump’s ‘Einstein visa’ raises questions after people think they’ve spotted issue with it

    Social media users and politicians alike are questioning the validity of the First Lady's visa.

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Kate Middleton and Prince William’s plans revealed after PETA slammed birthday post with brutal statement

    Kate Middleton and Prince William recently showed off several of their dog Orla's puppies in a recent photoshoot

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Doctors reveal one major sign to look out for that could be early symptom of bowel cancer

    There are around 44,100 new cases of the 'silent killer' every year in the United Kingdom alone

    News
  • Employee gets sobering advice after being called in by HR the day after office Christmas party
  • Woman devastated as husband dies on operating table after surgeons ‘removed wrong organ’
  • Erik Menendez’s daughter issues emotional statement about dad and uncle after their case gets major update
  • Erik Menendez’s daughter speaks out on her dad and uncle’s case which could soon be about to see major update