A stunning £20,000 has been collected in memory of a former Wath Brow rugby league player.

Family, friends and teammates gathered at the club’s fundraising event for Gavin Curwen last weekend.

Mr Curwen, 40, who was assistant coach for Wath Brow’s open-age side, died suddenly in February.

The event was also the launch of The Gavin Curwen Heart Screening Foundation, which aims to raise money and awareness across the community.

Lynda Butterworth, Gavin’s partner, and son, Sam, said they were “overwhelmed” by how much money was raised.

“If it helps save one person, I will be absolutely delighted,’’ she said.

The money was raised through tickets, a raffle and an auction. Money was also donated from Cleator Moor Town Council and GMB. A large part of the collection was also made from donations following Mr Curwen’s funeral.

John and Elsie Curwen, his mum and dad, said: “It is an honour that Gavin has been remembered this way. It is a fitting legacy that this foundation has been set up in Gavin’s name.’’

Amy Caddy, one of the organisers, said: “The highlight was the auction of the one-off commissioned Wath Brow shirt bearing Gavin’s name which raised £2,000.”

A former player, Mr Curwen coached throughout the ranks at Wath Brow and helped the club to National Cup glory in 2004.

After his retirement he turned to coaching the junior players, some of whom have now made it through to open-age rugby, and then became assistant coach of the open-age side.

Ian Rooney, head coach, said: “It was a great night.

“The support was outstanding from the local community especially Egremont Rangers.”

Cleator Moor’s marathon man Gary McKee also turned up at the event and donated his London Marathon medal and shirt.