A 21-YEAR-OLD who was one of the first people in the country to be fitted with a defibrillator under his skin has died.

Blake Calverley passed away with his family by his hospital bedside after suffering chronic heart failure.

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Yesterday, dozens of mourners said a heartfelt goodbye to the dad-of-one whose family said he would ‘never gave up no matter what’. 

Blake suffered from the same rare heart condition which caused former Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba’s heart to stop during an FA Cup game in 2011.

His battle against ill health hit the headlines in 2013 when he underwent one of the first operations to have a 5in x 3in defibrillator fitted.

He then spent two and a half years on the heart transplant list before deciding to take himself off it.

His family said Blake went on to develop type one diabetes, which left him unfit for a donor organ.

The family said the operation to fit the new defibrillator because of his hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was very tough for Blake and he had to have his heart shocked many times.

The device, which is surgically placed under the skin, is designed to release an electrical charge if it detects a heart malfunction something Blake described as feeling like being kicked in the chest by a horse.

He was fitted with a new defibrillator two months ago and spent the last weeks of his life in and out of hospital.

His mum Dawn, who is the cousin of Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Dunn, said the family was devastated when told Blake’s fight for life was about to end.

She said: “They took me into a room and said he has got to the end of his life and told me it would be just a few days.

“We asked if we should bring all of the family to see him and they said yes.

“We spent the rest of the time with him in hospital.

“Doctors spoke to Blake, but he still did not understand. He kept saying ‘mum am I going to die? Please do not leave me mum’.”

Blake’s dad Kevin, 44, said: “He was still fighting right to the end.

“He had ups and downs. On the Sunday before he died he was up and out of bed having a laugh and a joke like he always would.

“He was asleep nearly all day, but he just started struggling and could not get comfortable. His breathing just got worse and worse.”

Blake, of Pansy Street South, Accrington leaves behind his three-year-old son Logan, sisters Sara, Becky, Cleo and Angel and brothers Rhys and Damien as well as step-parents Adrian Berry and Donna Calverley.

Blake’s heart condition also led to him developing the rare Danon Disease which weakens muscles and means sufferers do not normally live past the age of 19.

When he was well enough, Blake loved going to watch Accrington Stanley play football and managed a trip over the summer with his brother Damien.

He also got to see Arsenal play, made possible by the Willow Foundation, a charity which brings special days to those that are seriously ill.

The family now plans to raise money for the charity and are asking for donations to be made in Blake’s memory.

His sister Sara said he was a big X-box fan who loved playing Fifa and loved singing.

“Blake did not look ill and liked to do things for himself,” she said.

“He would say I am 21 not one. I can do what I want. We used to go everywhere together. He liked to go to the town centre and put a bet on the football.”

Dawn said: “He loved going to Marton Mere Caravan Park in Blackpool. We went two or three times a year and he always said he wanted to buy his own caravan there.

“He liked the slot machines and playing bingo. He was really witty and funny. He loved his family so much and his son Logan.”

She said Blake was unable to fulfil his wish of donating his organs.

“They did not take anything. He wanted them to. He said they can take anything if it was going to save someone’s life.”

“I miss him so much. I love him with all my heart.”

His stepmother Donna said: “Everyone was so proud of him.” He never gave up no matter what. He was so brave.”

The family also wanted to thank Dr Gardner of Royal Blackburn Hospital who diagnosed his condition and the staff at Wythenshawe Hospital where he was treated.

To donate to the Willow Foundation visit www.willowfoundation.org.uk.