The family of a Penzance rower known as the 'silent mountain' who died suddenly at Christmas last year have set up a fundraising campaign to build a new gig boat in his name.

Chris Cox was 29 when he collapsed at home on December 29, just minutes after having a normal conversation with his mother.

Despite efforts to save him by his sister in law and then by paramedics, and after having been rushed to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro by Cornwall Air Ambulance, doctors were unable to save Chris from what was later discovered to be Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).

According to Chris' brother Thomas, was left questioning after a post mortem showed that nothing was physically wrong with Chris and there were no signs of illness.

Thomas said: "He was fine and had not been unwell and did not complain of any symptoms. This made no sense to our family, how could a perfectly healthy young man die this way without any trace or symptoms experienced beforehand? It was unbelievable and unacceptable to us and it didn't make sense. How was this possible?"

But following months of investigation, leading consultant cardiologist Professor Mary Sheppard established that Chris had most likely died of SADS, a syndrome to which about one in every 20 cases of sudden cardiac death and up to one in five young sudden cardiac deaths is attributed, normally as a result changes to the electrical functioning of the heart but not its structure.

Chris was a keen gig rower, having started as an under-14 at Mount’s Bay Pilot Gig Club, before joining Pendeen Pilot Gig Club, and was a member of the crew that won the 28 mile Eddystone Challenge, as well as having rowed for over 10 years at the Isles of Scilly World Pilot Gig Rowing Championships.

Now his family have set up a crowdfunding in the hope of raising £22,000 for a new pilot gig in his memory, to be named Silent Mountain after his rowing nickname, given due to his size and his quiet nature.

They said the aim is for it to be "used and enjoyed" by the local community, as well as raising money for SADS charities by being used at fundraising events.

They are also hoping the fundraising, and the gig boat, will help raise awareness of SADS, which can have a genetic element, and for which the family now all undertake regular medical check-ups.

As well as being a rower, Chris was a well know basketball player, having played with the Penwith Panthers, Penryn Rebels and Camborne Prodigies, and was a recognised gamer.

Hi family added: "Chris lived his life to the full and was admired and respected by many."

To donate to the JustGiving page, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/t-cox