The sudden death of a Welling teenager has spurred his family and rugby team to save other young people from a similar fate.

Anthony Fitzgerald had played rugby at Blackheath Rugby Club from age five and was studying for a politics degree at City University before he suddenly passed away.

On November 23 last year, a previously undetected heart condition took the 18-year-old’s life and robbed the world of the potential future rugby star.

Pete Grey, Anthony’s head coach at Blackheath Rugby, said: “He was an individual who left a mark on us all, always to be found with a smile on his face and a bounce in his step.

“His passing has left the players, coaches and parents of last season’s U18s heartbroken.

“The outpouring of emotion and offers of help to the Fitzgerald family have been overwhelming.”

Anthony had played as a try-scoring back-row forward for Blackheath, and went an entire season unbeaten when he played for the North Metropolitan Kent District team.

Laura Fitzgerald, Anthony’s sister, said: “Anthony was one of the happiest people you could ever meet. To us he was the best brother we could have ever asked for. Life without him will never be complete.

“He was extremely fit and healthy and never experienced any symptoms. Only having his heart checked could have saved him.”

To help save other young people who might suffer from the same sudden cardiac arrest as Anthony, his family have been running events to raise money for cardiac screening and research.

So far they have raised nearly £50,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young and their latest venture includes heart screenings for people at Blackheath Rugby Club.

On August 12-13, a cardiac screening will be at the rugby club for 200 14-35 year olds, including for members of the rugby team.

Their goal is to bring awareness to cardiac risk in the young to everyone they can.

If you want to donate, visit c-r-y.org.uk/anthony-fitzgerald/