The family of a man who died nearly nine years ago are continuing to honour his memory by raising money for the air ambulance charity that tried to save his life.

Stephen Lee was 61 years old when he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Peterlee on December 13, 2017.

Both the North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) arrived at the scene to try and save his life.

Recalling what happened, his daughter Sophie Lewis, who was 22 at the time, said: “My dad became very poorly very quickly.

Sophie Lewis (centre) is pictured at her graduation with dad Stephen Lee and mum Denise Lee.

placeholder image — Sophie Lewis (centre) is pictured at her graduation with dad Stephen Lee and mum Denise Lee.

"The paramedics were called and began working very suddenly on my dad and at this point, the GNAAS arrived.

“We remember the air ambulance staff being so professional that night.

"Dr Mike spoke with so much compassion and was very knowledgeable about what he was doing.

"There was so much equipment that was brought to my dad’s aid.”

Sophie’s husband Cameron Lewis has ran the Great North Run seven times for the GNAAS, raising more than £5000.

Despite the efforts of the GNAAS team however, Stephen sadly died.

Sophie said: "We were heartbroken as a family – we did everything together.”

Stephen was seen by those around him as a devoted family man who went above and beyond for his loved ones, including his elderly mother and father and mother-in-law.

He also enjoyed holidays with his wife Denise and daughter Sophie.

Following Stephen’s passing, Sophie suffered with anxiety and depression and later on PTSD, while his wife Denise was depressed and heartbroken.

Sophie said: “As time went on, it was so difficult to find a purpose and a reason to get up on a morning.”

Since Stephen’s death, Sophie and her family have tried to raise as much money as possible for the charity that “gave Stephen a chance”.

Sophie’s husband Cameron Lewis has ran the Great North Run seven times for the GNAAS, raising more than £5000.

Sophie also did the Boxing Day dip last year with her best friend, raising over £300.

She said: “We will continue to raise as much money as we possibly can for GNAAS as it is such an amazing charity, and the paramedics, doctors and pilots are incredible.”