Tributes to selfless cyclist Ian Hoggarth, 34, after sudden death

A CYCLIST died from an undiagnosed heart condition just days after completing a 50-mile bike ride.

Ian Hoggarth, 34, collapsed the day after the ride from a heart condition that causes sudden death in apparently healthy people.

Just six weeks before he collapsed, and unbeknown to his girlfriend or family, Ian had registered online to donate his organs and help others in the event of his death.

Now, his family have been told his organs have helped transform the lives of six people since his death from Brugada syndrome.

Ian's mother Barbara Hoggarth, of Cottingham, said his selfless decision ensured the family knew they were fulfilling his wishes when they were asked to consider organ donation.

She said: "I felt overjoyed he had made that decision.

"That sums Ian up. He has helped and cared for others his whole life.

"We have always been proud because of all his achievements and he was such a good person.

"But now we are even more proud that his life isn't totally wasted.

"He has given that gift to others and we hope some of his talents will live on in other people."

Ian suffered a heart attack when he came home from work and paramedics and neighbours fought to save his life.

He was rushed to hospital and was on life support in intensive care for three days.

Although doctors believed he was brain dead, Ian was kept alive to see if there was anything else they could do for him.

Brugada syndrome is hereditary and sudden death is caused by severe disturbances to the rhythm of the heart. Barbara, 60, said Ian, who attended Cottingham High School and the University of Nottingham, loved tackling mountains in the Pyrenees on his bike for pleasure and for charity, as well as cycling dozens of miles at weekends.

He worked for a computer software company and loved music, gigs, playing the piano, art, DIY, cooking and travelling.

Ian had cycled 50 miles the day before he collapsed but his family said there had been no cause for concern about his health in the lead-up to his death.

Barbara said it is difficult to comprehend why a fit and healthy man could be affected so quickly.

She said: "They were amazed at the hospital how fit he was. A tiny bit of his body didn't work.

"I don't know how many people have said he was their best friend.

"He made such an impact."

Leaflets about organ donation will be available at a celebration of Ian's life this week, giving others the opportunity to follow in his footsteps and offer the gift of life.

An online fundraising page set up in his memory has already generated more than £3,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young and Cancer Research UK through donations.

The causes were chosen by Ian's family and girlfriend due to his little-known condition and because so many of his friends and family have been affected by cancer.

Barbara said her son will never be forgotten.

"He was such a calm and kind person and was always thinking of others," she said.

"He was very talented in everything he did.

"He was one of those people you knew you wanted to know forever."

Visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/IanHoggarth to add to the amount raised in memory of Ian.

Organ donor Ian's amazing gift – page 4