An ‘inspirational’ man died after suffering a cardiac arrest riding his bicycle.
Charity founder Nick Jones, who was out cycling, was found unresponsive on a footpath near Wiltshire Way in Westbury at around 8pm last Friday (6 November).
Despite the best efforts of medics at the scene, he was later pronounced dead.
Doctors told dad-of-two Nick, who created The Nick Jones Foundation for Bereaved Children after he was diagnosed with a rare type of terminal heart failure, ‘shouldn’t be alive’.
Despite his diagnoses, he raised thousands of pounds to help children who have lost parents.
“Nick’s doctors have explained how the condition is rare and that there’s nothing that can be done for him; even to the point to state that with his condition he shouldn’t be alive now”, an old statement on the charity’s website states.
“Nick, being Nick, wasn’t willing to take this lying down or without a fight”, it adds. “The thought of his loved ones mourning him after he’s gone, encouraged him to do something to ensure that they’ll still be looked after when he no longer can. That’s when he thought of the charity to help children and family suffering from loss.”
The Nick Jones Foundation for Bereaved Children confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement posted on their Facebook page at the weekend:
“On behalf of Mel, Cameron and Lara it is with great sadness that I write to let you all know that Nick passed away yesterday, Friday 6th November.
“Sadly Nick suffered a suspected heart attack yesterday evening when out on his bike.
“It is some comfort to know that Nick had had a really good day and been dancing, singing and laughing on Spotify on his new phone, just being the Nick Jones we all loved and admired.
“Nick has been an inspiration to so many people showing us how to deal with adversity through his determination, courage and of course his sense of humour.
“We all have personal memories of Nick that we will cherish, with many of us at the Foundation being when Nick did the impossible, managing to trek to Everest Base Camp and back just a couple of years ago.
“It was an inspiration for everyone to see this incredibly sick man summoning up amazing strength and courage each day to make sure he would reach his goal, to make base camp.
“It should of come as no surprise that Nick achieved this amazing feat and then went on to astound the medical experts every time there was a medical setback.
“Nick will be remembered through his actions and of course his Foundation ‘The Nick Jones Foundation for Bereaved Children’.
“Everyone at the Foundation will continue Nick’s work and do all we can in the future to help support children who have suffered bereavement.
“Nick showed us all how to dream big and live life to the full. That is the way I am sure we will all remember Nick. RIP Nick…until we meet again my friend.”
You can find out more about The Nick Jones Foundation for Bereaved Children here.
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