Yahoo News Nunthorpe joiner, 24, tragically died after being rushed to hospital with severe headaches
The friends and family of a young Teesside man who died suddenly are paying tribute to him with a charity football match.
Daniel Mallett, a self-employed joiner from Middlesbrough, was rushed into hospital with severe headaches, but tragically passed away three days later.
His devastated family and friends have now thrown themselves into raising money for Encephalitis International, a charity which supports research into the condition encephalitis, swelling on the brain, which Daniel was being treated for.
The Nunthorpe man's mum, Mandy Mallett, said the family's world was shattered with the death of Daniel in October, last year, but she is delighted and comforted by the fact his friends want to do the charity football match, which they hope will become an annual event, in his memory.
Mandy, 59, said her son, who was previously fit and well and played football every Monday evening, started to get headaches and they rushed him to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, in the early hours of October 16. Staff were treating Daniel for encephalitis, but he sadly died on October 19.
The grieving mum said: "We have been shattered by this. There are no words to describe what effect this has had on us and everyone who knew him, it is just awful."
But, she said she and Daniel's dad, Alex, and sister, Samantha, are pleased that his best friends, including Brad Pink and Dean Britain, want to raise money in his memory. Currently the total stands at almost £5,000 and they hope to increase this with the football match which will take place on Saturday, May 25, at 1pm at Dorman's Social Club.
Mandy said: "His friends are doing this for him because of how much he meant to them. He had a wonderful group of friends, I could not have asked for better ones."
Matthew Wright, one of the organisers of the event, said: "Those that were lucky enough to have known Danny will remember how kind and generous he was. What happened to Danny was a tragedy, we all miss him so much, but we know that he would want us to raise as much money as possible to help those affected by similar situations."
As well as the football match there will be activities including a bouncy castle, tombola and cake sale. There will also be two raffles on the day with some great prizes including a signed Boro shirt and football, a Jonathan Woodgate signed England shirt and some boxing gloves signed by Tyson Fury. People are welcome to go along and support the event. You can also make a donation on the fundraising page here.
