When Darryl Price felt unwell with minor chest pain just under a year ago, the 56-year-old assumed it was indigestion.

Yet within days, the kind and caring east Belfast husband and father had sadly passed away in his sleep from a cardiac arrest.

It was a terrible shock to his devoted wife of 27 years, Ellen – mother to their two sons.

She had been with Darryl since she was 19 years-of-age.

Now, 10 months on from his sudden death, Darryl’s family, led by Ellen, are ready to honour his name in a fitting way by taking part in the Belfast Marathon to raise awareness and funds for British Heart Foundation.

Ellen (53) says: “Darryl and I had been through everything together. We met at a young age and were inseparable and created a loving family life together, bringing up our two amazing boys, Carter who is 22 and Evan who is 20.

“While Darryl had a few underlying health issues with back pain from being a lorry driver, there was nothing serious and so when he felt unwell with minor chest pain during the Bank Holiday last May, he assumed it was indigestion.”

Ellen added: “Over my birthday weekend last year, on 31st May, Darryl’s indigestion pain got progressively worse but we still thought it couldn’t be anything serious as when he took medication for it, the pain subsided.

“However it then came back again and continued to be painful so he went to A&E and he was fully checked out with bloods and an ECG.”

Ellen said that when the pain subsided, Darryl was happy to return home.

“When he returned home, Darryl had a normal Saturday afternoon, going out for coffee and to the beach with the boys and watching the Champions League final with them.”

It was just a few days later, on Tuesday 3rd June, that Ellen was left devastated with Darryl’s tragic passing from a cardiac arrest.

Ellen said: “By Tuesday morning Darryl was feeling fine and I made him pancakes for breakfast before heading out to see my parents and brother.

“Our son Evan was out but his brother Carter was still at home asleep having worked a night shift. I came back to the house around lunchtime and wondered where Darryl was as he would usually be in the living room. I started calling up to him, assuming he was in the bedroom watching TV.

“When he didn’t answer, I went up to our bedroom and saw him lying on the bed as if he’d fallen asleep watching TV. But when I couldn’t wake him, I knew he was gone.”

Ellen quickly rang her sister and called an ambulance. Her brother and his friend who lives nearby also arrived at the house and began to do CPR until the ambulance arrived.

Unfortunately, Darryl’s life couldn’t be saved.

Ellen admitted: “The paramedic put the defibrillator pads on Darryl and was able to say shortly afterwards that Darryl had passed away.

“My only comfort was when the coroner visited they said that Darryl had closed his eyes to go to sleep and didn’t wake up again and there was no pain on his face, that he wouldn’t have suffered.”

After Darryl’s passing, Ellen conceded ‘nothing made sense for weeks and months’.

She added: “Darryl was a devoted dad, he was completely selfless and so funny, he made everyone laugh. All he cared about was his family. He was also a Manchester United fanatic and loved rugby.

“We miss him every single day, he was larger than life and his passing has left a big hole in our lives. But I’m so thankful the boys had such a strong bond with him and so many amazing memories.

“Darryl will never be gone while I have my boys around me as they have his brilliant sense of humour.”

Ellen and her family are now focusing on the relay challenge of the Belfast Marathon in memory of Darryl as they raise funds for British Heart Foundation’s research into sudden cardiac death.

The race will take place on the 21st birthday of Evan – Darryl’s youngest son. The family feel this is incredibly poignant.

Ellen said: “It feels significant that Evan’s going to be 21 on marathon day, and he really wanted his dad to be involved in the day.

“I never thought of a marathon as I’ve never been much of a runner. It was my brother Matthew’s idea and we have two family relay teams taking part. I know Darryl would be thinking we are daft for running the marathon as none of us are runners, but he would also be so proud.

“After the marathon we’ll then take in Manchester United’s match against Liverpool – which Darryl would have been watching with the boys.”

Ellen concluded: “You can’t prepare anyone for the shock of a family member’s sudden cardiac death, especially when they’re still relatively young like Darryl was.

“We therefore understand the importance of research into treatments and cures for cardiovascular disease so other families don’t have to suffer the loss that we have.”

Ellen and the relay teams have so far raised a fantastic £1,000 for British Heart Foundation and are hoping to beat their £1,500 target.

Ellen added: “I have the best family, every one of them has been amazing and that’s what has got me through my darkest times since Darryl’s passing. I’m also so thankful for people’s generosity, supporting us every mile of the way.”

Orla Copeland, BHF NI Fundraising Manager, said: “We’re so thankful to our supporters like Ellen and her family, who have experienced such devastating loss because of cardiovascular disease and are determined to help try to raise awareness and provide vital support for our life-saving research.”

To donate to the Belfast marathon fundraising page in memory of Darryl Price, visit: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/MS54509071

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