Pals of popular Hartlepool man, 46, who died in his sleep smash fundraising target in his memory

Popular Marty Ash was aged just 46 when he went to bed and did not wake up again.

His death is suspected to be Sudden Adult Death Syndrome as no obvious cause could so far be found.

Just the day before he died, Marty, who lived in the town centre, had attended a baby-naming ceremony for the son of his long-time friend Adam Melville.

Adam said: “The next day on the Sunday he played pool and went home. On the night he went to bed and he passed away in his sleep.

“He wasn’t poorly or anything. They can’t find out what it was and have put it down to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.”

He was engaged to a girl in America, where his dad Norman Ash lives in Joppling, Missouri, where Marty visited regularly.

Following Marty’s death, Adam together with Marty’s family, decided to try to bring something positive out of the tragedy.

When Marty’s family asked for donations to charity instead of flowers at his funeral, Adam suggested the British Limbless Ex Servicemen's Association (BLESMA).

Adam suggested the charity as a friend of his and Marty’s, Craig Winspear, works for BLESMA.

Craig, who is from Hartlepool, lost both legs in an explosion while serving in Afghanistan.

He now helps other ex-servicemen through the charity.

Adam added: “Marty’s father said ‘absolutely, let’s do it.

“I set up a JustGiving page hoping to get £200 or £300 as a bit of a thank you but we are up to £1,500.

“It is not just people from Hartlepool who have donated, we have even had money from the States as well.

“We have managed to bring something positive out of it and show the way Hartlepool people do rally round.”

Marty’s funeral was held on November 8 at Stranton Crematorium. Adam said he had never seen it so full.

He added the wake was “like no other” with its party atmosphere complete with DJs to celebrate Marty’s life.

Donations can still be made to the online fund at www.justgiving.com on the page titled In Memory of Marty Ash.