FRIENDS of a Suffolk man who died after a long battle with a heart illness have unveiled a bench in memory of their pal. Barham man Dean Harvey, 21, died in May after collapsing at work.

FRIENDS of a Suffolk man who died after a long battle with a heart illness have unveiled a bench in memory of their pal.

Barham man Dean Harvey, 21, died in May after collapsing at work. He had suffered health problems after being born with a heart which had not fully formed.

To celebrate his life, Dean's friends raised more than £200 to buy a bench which will sit in the garden of The Chequers pub, in Great Blakenham, where the popular 21-year-old was a regular.

Kate Baxter, 24 of Ofton, organised the collection and said: “I had known Dean for about four years and he was my best friend.

“I just miss him so much.

“If people don't want to go and see where he is, they can just sit in the garden and remember him.”

The bench was officially unveiled in front of Dean's parents, Kimberley and Stephen Harvey, of Cooper's Way.

Mrs Harvey said: “It's absolutely marvellous. We are very touched.

“Dean thought a lot of his friends and they thought a lot of him. They have all been very supportive to us.

“We are so appreciative of what they have done, it means an awful lot.”

Dean, who left a brother Alex, died at the Jack Brand egg and poultry factory in Great Blakenham on May 17 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The Claydon primary and high school pupil had to undergo major surgery after doctors discovered his heart condition when he was born, but he required medicine throughout his life.

Mrs Harvey said: “It's six months since Dean died but I still expect him to come through the front door.

“I would give anything for him to come in and kick his shoes off and sit down with us. We all miss him.”

Would you like to pay tribute to Dean Harvey? Are you doing something to remember someone special? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.