The family and friends of a Kesh man who died suddenly last year have raised more than £1,500 in his memory for British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI).

Cecil Hunter from Kesh died in August 2020 from a blood clot. The father of three and grandfather of five was well known in the area as a building contractor and his death was a huge shock to the local community.

The 68-year old’s family asked mourners to donate to BHF NI in lieu of flowers at his funeral and have raised £1,525 for the charity.

Cecil’s daughter Jill McCreery is the manager of the BHF charity shop in Enniskillen and said the local community wanted to honour his legacy as a well-known community figure in the area.

“Daddy died from deep vein thrombosis and it came as a massive shock,” she said.

“He was fit and active and well known throughout the community for his building work. Just a few weeks before he died, he was up on the roof of my house fixing a tile. It was so sudden and very difficult for us to take in as a family.

“I am the manager of the BHF shop in Enniskillen and working for the charity I know the impact our life saving research has on patients and their families. When daddy died from a circulatory condition, we knew that we wanted to donate to the BHF in his memory and fund the charity’s research into heart and circulatory disease.

“We are touched that so many people from our community donated in his memory and I know the money will be put to good use and hopefully save other lives in the future.”

Cecil is survived by his wife Frances, daughter Jill, sons Raymond and Marcus and grandchildren.

“It has been a hard year for everyone and hard enough to lose a family member during the pandemic,” said Jill, adding: "We are grateful to everyone who has donated and who has shown us so much support after his death."