Trust fund set up in memory of devoted Llandudno dad

Oct 20 2011 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

A TRUST fund has been set up by the family of a devoted young dad who collapsed and died after a jog.

Manchester City fan Alex Herd, 26, collapsed in his driveway at Lloyd George Close in Llandudno on September 3. Despite desperate attempts to revive him by his wife and neighbours, he did not survive.

Alex left behind a devastated family, including his wife Tricia, 37, and their two children Charlie, four, and Bethan, 17 months. He was also a stepfather to Sam, 19, Linda , 18, and Joel, 11.

The former Ysgol Aberconwy student worked in Bangor Job Centre as a deputy team leader.

It is still unclear as to the cause of Alex’s death.

A fundraising event is taking place on Saturday, October 29 at Conwy United Football Club to raise money for Alex’s children and the club.

Rod Herd, Alex’s dad, who is on Conwy United’s committee, said: "The trust fund has given something for my wife Val and I to focus on.

"It’s a practical thing to help Alex’s children as he really was a brilliant father.

"His workmates in Bangor have already raised £1,000 towards the fund, and Ysgol Tudno, where Charlie is a pupil, has also raised some money."

Rod admits it’s still hard to believe his only child has passed away at such a young age.

"Alex had a lot of charisma, he’d light a room up, and was a joker and a wind-up merchant," said his proud father.

"We’d only just returned from a family holiday in Ibiza when it happened, there had been eight of us and we had a fantastic time.

"On the holiday Alex had complained of a shortage of breath, but we didn’t think it was anything serious as he used to suffer from asthma as a boy."

Rod, who works as a lab technician in Llanberis, went on: "Tricia and Alex were a devoted couple, they’d been together for five years and adored each other.

"Charlie keeps asking when his daddy is coming back, and we’ve told him he’s gone to the angels."

"Charlie looks just like Alex, but is more like Tricia in personality, whereas Bethan looks like Tricia but is just like Alex."

Rod and Val say that what has helped during this terrible time is the support from family and friends.

"We’ve been bowled over by the sympathy and support, we’ve received over 200 cards," said Rod.

"Tricia’s neighbours have also been fantastic, they’ve been bringing around food for the family and have been sitting with her.

"I’d also like to thank Conwy United for organising the fundraiser, as Alex was a fan and had started to take Charlie to see the matches."

Tickets for the fundraiser are £3 which includes supper. It starts from 8.30pm. There will be bingo, a sponsored wax with Conwy players, fancy dress, and horse racing. All proceeds will be split 50:50 between the club and the Herd Children’s Trust Fund. Tickets can be bought at the door on the night, or at Edward’s of Conwy butchers, Conwy Post Office or Morfa Stores.

Organiser Sarah Skidmore paid tribute to Alex: "He was always laughing. If I saw him walking into the club I knew we’d soon be breaking into smiles. It was nice to see him bring Charlie to the games, and he’s very much missed."