Josh Rix playing for Sudbury

THE family of a rugby player who died suddenly after flying to see his critically-ill mother are raising money to pay for the return of his body.

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Josh Rix, described last night by his father as an “absolute legend”, could not be revived after suffering a seizure while in Perth, Western Australia.

The 23-year-old from Hadleigh had rushed, with brother Tim, to be by his mother’s side after she suffered a stroke while on the “holiday of a lifetime” Down Under, where she was visiting daughter Rebecca.

Sadly Judy, 61, died just four hours before the brothers touched down in Australia.

Mr Rix, who played for Sudbury Rugby Club, collapsed on January 12, the day after his mother was cremated.

Despite attempts by family members and paramedics to revive him, Mr Rix was pronounced dead at the scene. He leaves his partner Mel, 20, and a six-month-old son, Alfie.

Speaking to the East Anglian Daily Times yesterday, his father Nick explained that due to the speed with which his sons left the country, their insurance did not include the cover for the return of his body.

Although friends and family have rallied to make up the £4,000 shortfall to repatriate Mr Rix, his father said he hoped that fundraising would help pay them back and create a trust fund for Alfie.

The 49-year-old, of Cottesford Close, Hadleigh, said: “The support I’ve received from friends and family and people in the town has been exceptional.

“I still don’t understand what happened. I feel glazed. It was meant to be a holiday of a lifetime but in just two weeks my life has been turned upside down.

“My aim now is to get a trust fund for Alfie and Mel to make sure they are all right.”

His stepson, Elliott Rix, said a benefit football game between the Rix family and Josh’s friends had already been scheduled for March 24, at Hadleigh Football Club. There will also be an auction and a comic at the event.

Speaking for the first time about events in Australia, the bereaved father explained the trip to surprise Rebecca had been something his wife had been wanting to do since her daughter moved away about three years ago.

They celebrated Christmas together then, on the day the pair were due to fly home, Mrs Rix suffered a stroke.

She was admitted to hospital on New Year’s Day but died the following day after suffering a further stroke. “She couldn’t quite hold on. I know she was bravely fighting to see Josh and Tim but she couldn’t hold on,” her husband said.

He said his son was chatting with Rebecca at her home the day after the funeral when he suddenly collapsed and suffered a massive seizure.

Panicked family members performed heart massage until paramedics arrived. But despite their attempts, the rugby player never recovered.

The exact cause of his death is still not known.

His body is expected to be flown back into the UK today.

The family are planning a double funeral service in Hadleigh, on February 14. Donations can be made to Great Ormond Street Hospital. For details and for future fundraising events see the Fundraising for Joshy Rix and his family page on Facebook.