A FUNDRAISING page set up to support the family of a rugby player who died during a match has inspired dozens of well-wishers to donate more than £1,000 in just 24 hours.

Terry Parsons, 48, and from Darlington, was playing for Newton Aycliffe RUFC at an away game in Houghton-le-Spring on Saturday when he collapsed during the first half.

Aycliffe’s Paul Ryans and Houghton RUFC’s Gareth Hockey made valiant efforts to revive the father-of-five when he collapsed at the pitch, in Dairy Lane, just after 3.30pm.

However, their efforts were in vain as despite an ambulance arriving within four minutes and Mr Parsons being airlifted to Sunderland Royal Hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance Service’s helicopter, he could not be saved.

Mr Hockey described the moment he realised Mr Parsons was unwell.

“I saw him collapse, he hadn’t been tackled he just went down, players thought he was having a seizure but I and Paul quickly recognised there was no heartbeat so we commenced CPR.”

He added: “My heart goes out to his family. He clearly was a family man and I would do the same again.”

Dozens of people have since paid their own tributes to Mr Parsons, who played loose-head prop for Aycliffe and had been involved with the club since about 1996.

And a Just Giving page set up to help his widow, Alison, and children has smashed its £1,000 target despite only being set up on Sunday night (September 25).

Family friend, Lorna McAllister, started the page with the hope of helping the family give Mr Parsons “a good send off”.

“I have never done anything like this before but I felt I had to help Alison and the kids because I have been a friend of Terry’s for about ten years,” the 49-year-old said.

The mum-of-five, of Sunderland, added: “Terry helped me through some of the most horrific times of my life. He was the sort of bloke you could call at 3am and he would be there to help you if you could.

“He was not prepared to die. He did not have any provision in place and I know it can be a struggle bringing up kids on your own so it’s the least I can do.”

Ms McAllister said Mrs Parsons told her she was “overwhelmed” by the support the family have received.

“She’s overwhelmed by the generosity we have had already,” Ms McAllister added.

“Terry was such a lovely bloke; he was a cheeky chappy and always had a smile.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lorna-mcallister