A heartbroken family has paid tribute to their “talented” and “vibrant” daughter who died suddenly at the age of just 20.
Poppy Eagle, from Washington, in Tyne and Wear, died on August 7 this year after her heart unexpectedly stopped.
The tragedy happened as the fashion student came home from university for summer.
But despite the best efforts of emergency services, Poppy’s life could not be saved.
Her devastated parents, Vicki and Peter, and her four siblings have since created Poppy’s Light Foundation, which aims to improve access to cardiac screening for young people.
They believe Poppy’s life may have been saved if she had been screened, and hope the initiative may be able to prevent other deaths.
Mum Vicki told ChronicleLive: “Poppy’s Light fundraising has been such a success and there’s a real comfort in that.
“What we have found is that there is really not a great deal of support around for bereaved children.
“Poppy was such a loving person, so vibrant, so full of light.
“So the charity is a way of keeping that light shining while doing something that can support other children.”
The family have met a £25,000 fundraising target, which they said was a result of the “whole community” rallying around them.
In a post on the fundraising page, dad Peter said: “ Words cannot begin to describe our utter despair and heartbreak. We are endlessly proud of our amazing girl.
“Her talented artistic flair, taking her to one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Her kindness, her hard work, motivation and enthusiasm in all that she did.
“She believed she could and she did, in everything! Sleep tight our darling princess and forever young. How blessed are we that God chose us to be your parents.”
One of Poppy’s brothers and family friends are planning to climb Kilimanjaro next month to raise donations.
Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS), causes a fatal cardiac arrest without warning.
It can strike at any age and can affect those who are fit and healthy.