THE loved ones of an by amateur rugby league player who collapsed and died while playing the sport he loved will pound the streets of Barcelona in his memory.

Adam Cooper, known by his friends as Carney, died suddenly while playing for his beloved Culcheth Eagles in July 2017 during an away game at Runcorn ARLFC, at Heath Playing Fields in Runcorn.

The dad-of-two’s cause of death was later confirmed as acute cardiac failure, which came as a shock to his family.

Adam’s sister Natalie Cooper, 30, her partner Mark Johnston, 34, and his stepdad Doc Crippin, 56, are preparing to channel their grief into crossing the finish line at the Barcelona Half Marathon on Sunday.

His mum Joy Cooper-Crippin said: “It’s the first time we have done something like this together.

“It would have been his 33rd birthday on February 11.

“It’s a way of making more memories while saying thank you to the charities that have helped us.

“It’s another milestone without Adam but this is something positive that we can do to remember him by.”

The trio will be raising money for three charities close to their hearts – the Rugby League Benevolent Fund, British Heart Foundation, and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

All three charities have helped support Adam’s family during the darkest time of their lives while carrying out research to help prevent similar deaths  

Joy, 59, added: “I have days where I have ups and downs but I have had a lot of support from families and friends to help keep me positive.

“Losing a child is totally different to losing another family member – I didn’t think it would be but it is.
“The pain and the hurt never goes away.”

Anyone wishing to donate can specify which of the three charities they would like to donate to in Adam’s memory.

To donate click here.