FAMILY and friends of Peter Collier were devastated when the young husband and father died during a soccer match.

Now his widow, Victoria, is hoping to raise awareness about the heart condition that robbed her of the man she was married to for just two months.

Mrs Collier is also raising money for heart charities, and says her efforts are helping her cope with her grief since her husband collapsed while playing football for Lliswerry in January. He was 36.

More than 700 mourners packed the church for his funeral, when Mr Collier, who had a nine-year-old son, Alex, and lived on the Gaer, Newport, was described as a "giant" among men.

After his death it was discovered that despite being a fit and apparently healthy young man, he had a heart condition called artheosclerosis - hardening of the arteries.

Mrs Collier, of Hazlitt Close, wanted to warn of the dangers of high cholesterol and the importance of regular health checks, as well as the increased risk of factors such as smoking.

She said she was told her husband's condition could have been familial hypercholesterolaemia - a genetic cause - as his age tended to rule out lifestyle reasons.

"High cholesterol levels can start from birth, but none of the men I have spoken to has ever had a cholesterol test," said Mrs Collier, who has an eight-year-old daughter, Lydia, and was with Peter for seven years. "Most cases of familial hypercholesterolaemia go undetected, with tragic circumstances."

She has organised a fundraising event in aid of cholesterol charity Heart UK, the Royal Gwent and St Woolos Cardiology Fund, and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

Del Boy impersonator Maurice Canham, who performed at the couple's wedding reception, is giving his services free and Mrs Collier is also collecting donations for a raffle.

It is taking place on April 28 at Newport County's Baramber and she thanked the club for its support.

"Doing all this has really helped me, otherwise I would have absolutely cracked up.

"Peter didn't know about his condition but raising awareness could help to save someone else."