£4,329 raised in Lenny's memory

The money, for Causeway Branch of Chest, Heart and Stroke, was raised during a charity night at the Playhouse Portrush, a charity football tournament in Portstewart as well as Denise and her family taking part in the Belfast Marathon.

Speaking to the Times Denise from Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, explained: “I have just been so overwhelmed at the generosity of the local community. My friends and family have helped me with their time, support and financial assistance to raise this tremendous amount and I’m forever in their debt. Thanks must also go to local businesses and the general public for their truly amazing donations over the past few months.

“To thank everyone individually would take a long time, and they all know who they are, however I would particularly like to send my appreciation to a number of local businesses who donated raffle prizes for our charity night in the Playhouse. These are Joanne’s Hairdressers, Dunloy, T-Shirt City, Portrush, Fitness First, Coleraine, Troggs Surf Shop, Portrush, McNulty’s, Coleraine, Royal Court Hotel, Portrush, Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Telestar Dry Cleaners, Coleraine, First for Hampers, Portstewart, Mary Craig’s Bar, Coleraine, Railway Arms (Johnston’s Bar), Coleraine and the Playhouse Portrush.

“Special thanks also go to my family who ran the Belfast marathon with me, Andy and Tara from the Playhouse Portrush, Claire Cartmill from the Ballymoney and Moyle Times as well as Nigel Tohill and his friends who held a charity football tournament recently in Portstewart.

“This is an amazing amount of money and something I never thought was achievable - and more is still to come in from the charity football match. It just goes to show how highly Lenny was thought of by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.”