Party will go on to pay tribute to ‘gentle giant’

Adam Hughes, also known as Archie, died aged 39 of heart failure in October last year despite the best efforts of paramedics.

He had married Samantha Shearsby at Ladbroke church just four months before and the couple lived in Wulston Way.

Describing her 6ft 6ins tall son-in-law as a ‘gentle giant’, Samantha’s mother Diana Adkins said: “Everybody knew him which made going anywhere on foot a slow process as he would stop and talk to pretty much every second person.

“His big passion was rugby and used to play for Southam, when he stopped playing he still went and supported them at the weekend, taking his dogs Molly and Whitby with him.

“Adam’s death was such a shock to the family and so many friends around the area.

“His funeral was attended by so many people, the church was bursting.”

Before Adam’s death Samantha has been planning a surprise 40th birthday party for him at Southam Rugby Club on Saturday February 16th.

Club members have already raised £760 for the British Heart Foundation by growing moustaches in a Movember-style challenge.

Diana said: “Friends and family will be at the party on the 16th and we will draw a raffle on the night.

“I approached the shops and businesses in the town, which along with family and friends, have generously donated prizes to our raffle. These include bottles of whisky, a photo shoot, hampers, plants and many more.

“We also have got from Samantha’s uncle a signed Scotland rugby shirt which we will auction off on the night.

“All money will go to the Heart Foundation.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported Samantha and her family at this really tough time and the people donating and selling raffle tickets. It would be nice to donate another £500.”

Collectively, heart and circulatory diseases cause more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK,

The British Heart Foundation is a charity that aims to prevent people dying from heart diseases.