THE family of a man who collapsed and died suddenly, aged just 38, have raised more than £2,000 in his memory.

Jonathan Taylor, known as Jonny or Tay to friends, collapsed while preparing his sandwiches for the next day.

Medical experts initially could not establish why the apparently fit and healthy young man died but have now discovered he had a blocked artery. At an inquest held into his death last month, the coroner heard Mr Taylor had ischemic heart disease and recorded a verdict of death by natural causes. His mother Janet Taylor, of Greenfields Close, Drakes Broughton, said that the family felt more at ease following the decision.

She said: “We are still shocked but they were all so kind to us and I thank them all for what they’ve done for us. We did feel better.”

Mrs Taylor said the fact her son had previously passed out twice after playing football could have been a warning sign but, at the time, he had put it down to not eating.

Mr Taylor’s body was discovered on his kitchen floor on Thursday, February 14. Police believe he collapsed the previous evening.

The former soldier was born in Pershore in 1969 but grew up in Drakes Broughton and was a pupil at Drakes Broughton Primary School and Pershore High School. He served in Iraq during the first Gulf War and was posted to Kosovo, Cyprus, Norway and Northern Ireland before moving to Gloucestershire and becoming a policeman and a part-time military medic.

When he died, he was working for Gloucestershire County Council as a service co-ordinator, helping to look after the elderly.

Since his death, his family have raised more than £2,000 in his memory.

The £1,200 raised at his funeral was split between the County Air Ambulance and the Cotswold Canal Trust.

Another £1,000 collected since has paid for a lakeside tree seat to be installed at Croome Park, an area Mr Taylor often visited with his dog Alfie.