'Beloved son' who died in Great Bristol Run named

Mike Harper's family have said they have found his loss 'unimaginably difficult'

A man who died while taking part in the Great Bristol Run has been remembered as an "incredible brother" and "beloved son".

Mike Harper, 26, who lived in London, died on 19 May after collapsing during the race from a sudden cardiac arrest.

In a statement his family said his loss had been "unimaginably difficult" to come to terms with.

A fundraiser has been started to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

'Loving partner'

His family said: "Mike is a beloved son, incredible brother, loving partner and lifelong friend.

"He is loved by so many, and left his mark all across the country."

Mr Harper grew up in Lincoln and went to Sheffield Hallam University.

He relocated to Bristol to work for Laing O’Rourke as a quantity surveyor based at Hinkley Point C in Bridgwater, Somerset.

The 26-year-old had recently "fulfilled his London dream" by relocating with the firm to work on the Olympia redevelopment.

His family said: "We are devastated to say we lost Mike to a sudden cardiac arrest whilst running in the Bristol Half Marathon, a city he once called home.

"He had no known health issues or family history of young sudden cardiac death.

"He was otherwise healthy and always prioritised fitness.

"This loss has been so unimaginably difficult to come to terms with and CRY offer such important support."

The family launched the fundraiser for CRY and said "help us raise money to aid cardiac screening and raise awareness of the potential risk of cardiac arrest in youth".

They said losing Mr Harper in this way had been "cruel and shocking".

His family said: "In his last years, he spent his time travelling, running, playing football or partying with friends, as well as exploring everything the city had to offer with his amazing partner Ailsa."

His family added they also want to support CRY because of the screening it offers.

Chief executive of CRY, Dr Steven Cox, said: “As CRY receives no government funding, our UK-wide screening programme is only possible because of the backing CRY receives from families - such as the Harper family and their close friends, who have chosen to establish a memorial fund with CRY in memory of Mike - which helps us to provide this service free to the public."

According to CRY, every week 12 apparently fit and healthy young people in the UK die suddenly from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

"In 80% of these cases, there will have been no signs or symptoms of a heart defect until it is too late, which is why CRY believes screening is so vitally important -particularly for those involved in regular, physical activity.

“CRY now screens around 27,000 young people each year, aged between 14 and 35 – and the charity wants every young person to have the choice to have their heart tested," Dr Cox said.