Dad, 41, dies suddenly on weekend trip to Butlins after watching darts
A dad with "a heart of gold" died suddenly on a weekend trip to Butlins, his grieving family has said.
Jonathan Gelling visited the Somerset resort with partner Caroline Conway and friends for a weekend away to watch the UK Open darts tournament earlier this month.
But while staying at the family destination, 41-year-old Jonathan tragically died overnight in his bed.
Caroline told how darts fan Jonathan had watched the first round of a match on Friday, March 3, before having a meal and heading to bed.
The dad, from Kirby, Merseyside, was found the following morning and Caroline desperately tried to revive him with CPR.
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(Family handout)
(Family handout)Tragically her efforts were to no avail, and medics pronounced Jonathan dead at the scene, the Liverpool ECHO reports.
Tributes have since been paid to the "lovely" dad, who was described as a "top lad" who would "do anything for anybody".
Jonathan had recently started a new job working at a bread factory weeks before his death earlier this month, friends said.
Friends Lisa and Vicki Jackson set up a Gofundme page to support nurse Caroline with the cost of Jonathan's funeral.
Lisa Donoghue, 49, said they would also like to thank the security staff at Butlins Minehead who couldn't do enough to help them throughout the ordeal.
(Family handout)Paying tribute on Caroline's behalf, Lisa said Jonathan was "such a friendly, friendly person."
She described him as a "happy" man who "would do anything for anybody", adding: "he was such a lovely, genuine guy. He'd been in a new job for three weeks. He had a lot of friends, especially from school."
A message on the Gofundme page reads: "We are fundraising on behalf of our lovely friend and colleague Caroline Conway, who is a nurse at Aintree Hospital.
"Her loving partner Jonathan Gelling suddenly passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the age of 41.
"His passing was completely unexpected and has devastated all those that knew Jon.
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"He was a loving, caring person that had a heart of gold and had an amazing sense of humour.
"Jon had just begun a new job and had no life insurance or funeral plan. Caroline will now have to find the funds to pay for his funeral.
"We are hoping that with the help of all of our friends, family, colleagues and any well wishers that we can help Caroline in any way possible.
"Any contribution would be greatly appreciated."
Close pal John Sheridan described Jonathan as "one of my best mates", saying he would be "missed by many", while Laura Joan Hill added he was "a lovely man".
A Butlin’s spokesperson said: “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jonathan’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
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