Father who died of a suspected heart attack after popping outside for a cigarette

 A ‘loving’ father-of-one who was ‘laughing an joking’ on Christmas day, died of a suspected heart attack moments after going out for a cigarette. 

Gareth Blenkins, from Armley, Leeds, was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary after clutching his chest and falling to the ground on December 25.

The Leeds man had just nipped outside for a cigarette as celebrations in Cottingley had winded down, but suddenly had a fit on returning inside, his cousin Damien Sharpe recalled. 

Despite the family’s best efforts to rush Gareth to hospital, Damien said tearfully that ‘it was too late’.

Gareth Blenkins, 40, died on Christmas following a suspected heart attack while enjoying the day in Cottingley

The 42-year-old added: ‘His brain went for too long without oxygen. Unfortunately, he didn’t come round from it.’

The father has left behind a 15-year-old son who Damien said he ‘lived for’.

The devastated cousin spoke of how much of a ‘loving’ father the 40-year-old painter and decorator was.

He continued: ‘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.’

Damien also said Gareth was like a little a brother to him as they were raised together. 

He added that the Armley man had just celebrated his 40th birthday with his friends in Malaga only last month.

The 40-year-old suddenly clutched his chest and fell to the floor while having a fit, his tearful cousin Damien Sharpe recalled. Pictured: Gareth Blenkins with his sister Siobhan

Damien, who works as a lorry driver, has now launched a GoFundMe appeal to help raise money for Gareth’s funeral. 

It was said that Gareth had put all his money towards his son and had not prepared any life insurance or means to pay for a funeral.

He said: ‘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.’